You can help today's students become tomorrow's leaders.

Yo'onik Community Learning Center Yo'onik Community Learning Center is a growing family of young scholars; the older students tutor the younger students in their ancestral language of Tsotsil Maya so they can understand what they're learning in Spanish at school.

The scholarship students are all stars, each in their own way. You can help us raise enough money to make sure they can all continue to earn study stipends for the 2023-2024 academic cycle.

Studying beyond 8th grade is still relatively rare in Zinacantán, so the tutors concentrate on skills that will help the children for the rest of their lives: loving to learn, good reading comprehension, and basic math. The program was conceived by two Zinancantán sisters who lead by example by maintaining a thoughtful balance between honoring the local culture and practicing critical thinking.

The great news is that there are more and more elementary school children eager to benefit from the academic support offered by Yo'onik. In 2022, Yo'onik hired a local Maya Tsotsil to mentor, organize, and supervise the middle and high school students that help tutor younger children on Saturdays and during the week.

The older students practice leadership skills by organizing and teaching classes. The scholarship students understand that the opportunity to study beyond 6th grade is a privilege and are eager to help the younger children stay in school as long as possible.

After almost ten years of service, the center is honorably recognized by local leadership. Teachers recommend the learning center to parents whose children struggle at school. The children love Yo'onik because they get to learn by way of games, puzzles, garden work, and playtime on the recycled tire playground -- which feels more like playing than school!

• Middle School: $500 USD
• High School: $600 USD
• University: $800 USD
• University plus coordinator: $1,200 USD