Without financial resources to continue their education, options for a better life are denied to indigenous girls and women in Chiapas, the poorest state in Mexico. By partnering with a regional seamstress cooperative, the MUJERES de MAIZ OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION provides scholarships for continued education, literacy training, and workshops on a range of topics from gender equality to self-esteem. Scholarship recipients also develop projects that build social, educational, and economic networks to address the needs in their own communities. Extra curricular help for children, eye exams, glasses, laptops, backpacks, and solar lights for studying are provided also.

Girls attending school and women learning to read create role models that are sadly lacking in indigenous communities. Over 200 girls and women have been empowered with assistance from Mujeres de Maiz Opportunity Foundation and future generations will benefit from the ripple effect.

Sexism, illiteracy, and poverty are daily challenges confronting indigenous women in Chiapas, Mexico. Obtaining any education beyond fifth grade is a rare opportunity.