By Edita McQuary
Bonny Doon native Katie Morrow graduated from UC Santa Cruz at age 18 and has spent her adult life making the world a more equitable place. After 18 years of hard work, she and her non-profit organization, Limitless Horizons Ixil, were awarded the 2021 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) King Sejong Literacy Prize for its program, “Broadcasting Bilingual Stories: Promoting Interactive Literacy Programming in Rural Guatemala.”
Colegio Horizontes students on first day of classes.
For its work in Chajul, Guatemala, Limitless Horizons Ixil is one of only six global laureates to be honored for its innovative approach to literacy programming during Covid-19, which involved using local radio and TV to broadcast story hours and lessons. Our local Member of Congress Jimmy Panetta met with Katie to present her with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. Earlier this year, she opened a first-of-its-kind school, Colegio Horizontes, for indigenous girls.
How did all this come about? As a teenager, Katie saved up money from after-school jobs to travel to the United Kingdom, China and Costa Rica. Once she began traveling in Latin America, Katie realized she wanted to work in international development and social work. Graduating from San Jose State with a master’s degree in social work, she set out on a trip to learn Spanish with the intention of traveling all through Latin America and ending up in Argentina. However, she fell in love with Guatemala and postponed the rest of her trip for future years — little did she know that this stop on the journey would begin her life’s work in Guatemala!
US Rep Jimmy Panetta presents Limitless Horizons Ixil a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. With him are Liz Haffa (left) and Katie Morrow.
In 2004, while studying Spanish in Guatemala, her Spanish teacher and friend, Pedro Caba Asicona, invited her to visit his hometown of Chajul (pronounced “Cha-hool”) located at the 7,000-foot elevation in the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes Mountains.
Katie was impressed with the indigenous Maya Ixil people and their “curiosity and indomitable spirit” to improve the lives of their families and community. This community of 48,000 people of Maya descent in the western highlands speak a language called Ixil.
The women dress in colorful, traditional clothes and are known for their vibrant, intricate back strap weavings wares.
The indigenous Ixil people of Chajul were targeted for genocide during Guatemala’s devastating 36-year civil war. They are one of the poorest communities in the country and only 5% graduate from high school. Many of them saw no future except to emigrate to earn a living and provide for their families. Katie noticed how interested the girls were in books and learning. She also knew poor families could only afford to send one or two children to school and they always prioritized boys.
Katie Morrow in the Community Library pre-COVID.
But Katie and Pedro had a better idea. In 2004 they founded a nonprofit called “Limitless Horizons Ixil,” starting with a scholarship program for 10 students, prioritizing girls who were least likely to attend middle school without their support. Fast forward to today and they have supported more than 250 indigenous middle and high school youths in Chajul.
In 2010, they established the first and only public library in Chajul. It is equipped with “friendly librarians, computers, STEM and art activities and supplies and 10,000 books in Spanish, Ixil and English.”
Their Emerging Leaders Program has a paid fellowship for a few high school graduates each year with eligibility for a five-year university scholarship. They also support graduates to obtain employment, attend university, and start small businesses.
Young student listening in class.
A major part of Limitless Horizon Ixil’s work has been to empower girls and women: Lifting up Chajul’s girls and women, providing opportunities and female role models they otherwise would not have.
One of their major goals is to build up men’s and boys’ understanding of the importance of gender equality, which is why boys comprise about one-third of the participants in all their programs. And the secret to their success: All of their programs are driven and led by their primarily female local teams, who ensure that Chajul’s unique context and culture are represented.
But the most exciting project is the construction and opening of their new middle and high school in Chajul, “Colegio Horizontes!” This highly unique school for the region, focuses on critical thinking, interactive learning, and building gender equity and student leadership, and is changing the educational landscape in the community.
While the entire building process will not be entirely completed until summer 2022, the school has already opened with 24 indigenous 7th graders in person, eight hours a day, five days a week, compared to other local schools with classes lasting only 4 hours or fewer a day and often with classes of more than 60 students.
Students working on a science project.
The student body is over 70% girls — all scholars are from Maya Ixil families living in extreme poverty. They take 11 courses: Math, Spanish, science, social studies, technology, entrepreneurship, Ixil language and culture, English, physical education, artistic expression, and life skills. There is a Mentoring, Student and Family Support Team to help students and parents with educational workshops and any challenges they might be facing in school or in their homes.
“To date, 96% of the total school starting costs have been raised. Before the grand opening in July 2022, we are striving to raise a final $37,500 to primarily cover solar energy installation and final construction costs.
Our organization has nearly $310,000 in matching pledges towards that final budget, so gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar in the next couple months,” said Katie.
Colegio Horizontes in Guatemala will change the futures of hundreds by preparing youth for college and careers, bringing economic security to their families without migrating to the U.S., thus breaking cycles of poverty in Chajul. The effects of scholars’ high-quality education will strengthen families, creating a ripple effect for generations.
An incredible village of supporters has empowered Katie to achieve so much, and she and her team are eager to finish fundraising and open the school this summer and welcome the support of anyone interested.
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Contact: Katie Morrow, co-founder & executive director, 831-824-4827, katie@limitlesshorizonsixil.org.
How to support: limitlesshorizonsixil.org, or P.O. Box 3120, Santa Cruz, CA 95063, U.S.A. EIN/Tax ID #26-4296182.
Photos provided by Katie Morrow