Child Aid

Child Aid

Guatemala Staff

We are proud of our literacy team in Guatemala.

They are the heart and soul of our programs, and provide the leadership skills and personal touch that make our teacher and librarian trainings successful. Most of these exuberant, talented and dedicated people are from the communities where we work and have worked as teachers and librarians themselves. They know the communities intimately, speak the local languages, and have a passionate commitment to our mission of improving education in Guatemala.

Graciela Pichiya Landa
National Program Director

Angus Fredenburg
Country Director

Julianne Carlson M.A.
Director of Education

Maritza Lopez
Business Manager

Graciela Pichiya Landa

Joined Child Aid: 2010
Hometown: Las Canoas, Sololá
“I am a woman – indigenous, Mayan, Kaqchikel – with high professional aspirations,” she says. “I would like to be an example for indigenous women and families in Guatemala.”

Angus Fredenburg

Joined Child Aid: 2013
Hometown: Concord, NH

Angus joined Child Aid in 2013 to help manage our growing team of literacy trainers and build connections between schools, parents, and local communities. Angus has a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from the University of Louisville and has been a classroom teacher in the U.S. He was a Peace Corps volunteer for two years in the town of Muy Muy, Nicaragua, where he taught science and environmental education. He gained experience there in community development as well as teacher training, working closely with local teachers in individual planning sessions.

Julianne Carlson M.A.

Joined Child Aid: 2019
Hometown: Moorestown, NJ

“Empowering kids with high-quality, culturally-relevant texts, and giving them the tools to access them, is more than just education--it is liberation. Through books, we can teach ourselves anything, travel anywhere, and meet people who are both similar to and different from us. I am grateful to be a part of an organization that gives children in Guatemala this freedom.”

Maritza Lopez

Joined Child Aid: 2012
Hometown: Huehuetenango, Huehuetenango

“Reading in my childhood made a big difference in my life, so I know that a book can open the door to a child’s imagination that will lead them to a better future. It all starts with a first step and Child Aid is driving it. I am proud to be part of this team!”

Sarah Peller Ph.D.
Director of Evaluation

Sarah Peller Ph.D.

Joined Child Aid: 2016
Hometown: Washington D.C.

Graciela Pichiya Landa
National Program Director

Angus Fredenburg
Country Director

Graciela Pichiya Landa

Joined Child Aid: 2010
Hometown: Las Canoas, Sololá
“I am a woman – indigenous, Mayan, Kaqchikel – with high professional aspirations,” she says. “I would like to be an example for indigenous women and families in Guatemala.”

Angus Fredenburg

Joined Child Aid: 2013
Hometown: Concord, NH

Angus joined Child Aid in 2013 to help manage our growing team of literacy trainers and build connections between schools, parents, and local communities. Angus has a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from the University of Louisville and has been a classroom teacher in the U.S. He was a Peace Corps volunteer for two years in the town of Muy Muy, Nicaragua, where he taught science and environmental education. He gained experience there in community development as well as teacher training, working closely with local teachers in individual planning sessions.

Julianne Carlson M.A.
Director of Education

Maritza Lopez
Business Manager

Julianne Carlson M.A.

Joined Child Aid: 2019
Hometown: Moorestown, NJ

“Empowering kids with high-quality, culturally-relevant texts, and giving them the tools to access them, is more than just education--it is liberation. Through books, we can teach ourselves anything, travel anywhere, and meet people who are both similar to and different from us. I am grateful to be a part of an organization that gives children in Guatemala this freedom.”

Maritza Lopez

Joined Child Aid: 2012
Hometown: Huehuetenango, Huehuetenango

“Reading in my childhood made a big difference in my life, so I know that a book can open the door to a child’s imagination that will lead them to a better future. It all starts with a first step and Child Aid is driving it. I am proud to be part of this team!”

Sarah Peller Ph.D.
Director of Evaluation

Sarah Peller Ph.D.

Joined Child Aid: 2016
Hometown: Washington D.C.

Mildred Ramírez Esquina
Senior Supervisor

Edgar Garcia
Literacy Coach

Sara Campa
Literacy Coach

Juan Mendoza
Literacy Coach

Mildred Ramírez Esquina

Joined Child Aid: 2015
Hometown: Santiago Atitlán, Sololá

“I love interacting with the students. This is what makes me happy every day. I like going to the schools with books, and making reading a spectacular adventure for my community.”

Edgar Garcia

Joined Child Aid: 2012
Hometown: San Andrés Semetebaj, Sololá

“My work with Child Aid has given me valuable new skills that I have been able to apply to my university studies and other areas of my life. The most important thing has been to improve my reading and have the tools that facilitate good comprehension. That has helped me expand my knowledge and do better in my classes.”

Sara Campa

Joined Child Aid: 2013
Hometown: San Lucas Toliman, Sololá

“I’ve realized that this is my vocation. I enjoy teaching others.”

Juan Mendoza

Joined Child Aid: 2015
Hometown: Santiago Atitlán, Sololá

“Working in the Child Aid program has been a great experience. Arriving at each school and seeing the excitement on the faces of the children to learn to read or hear a story is indescribable.”

Luis Xitamal Balam
Literacy Coach

Eswin Chumil Chopén
Literacy Coach

Miriam Cuc Bixcul
Literacy Coach

Clara González y González
Literacy Coach

Luis Xitamal Balam

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Concepción, Sololá

“Reading is what enlightens my education, without it, I could not develop as a professional.”

Eswin Chumil Chopén

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Miriam Cuc Bixcul

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Clara González y González

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Mildred Ramírez Esquina
Senior Supervisor

Edgar Garcia
Literacy Coach

Mildred Ramírez Esquina

Joined Child Aid: 2015
Hometown: Santiago Atitlán, Sololá

“I love interacting with the students. This is what makes me happy every day. I like going to the schools with books, and making reading a spectacular adventure for my community.”

Edgar Garcia

Joined Child Aid: 2012
Hometown: San Andrés Semetebaj, Sololá

“My work with Child Aid has given me valuable new skills that I have been able to apply to my university studies and other areas of my life. The most important thing has been to improve my reading and have the tools that facilitate good comprehension. That has helped me expand my knowledge and do better in my classes.”

Sara Campa
Literacy Coach

Juan Mendoza
Literacy Coach

Sara Campa

Joined Child Aid: 2013
Hometown: San Lucas Toliman, Sololá

“I’ve realized that this is my vocation. I enjoy teaching others.”

Juan Mendoza

Joined Child Aid: 2015
Hometown: Santiago Atitlán, Sololá

“Working in the Child Aid program has been a great experience. Arriving at each school and seeing the excitement on the faces of the children to learn to read or hear a story is indescribable.”

Luis Xitamal Balam
Literacy Coach

Eswin Chumil Chopén
Literacy Coach

Luis Xitamal Balam

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Concepción, Sololá

“Reading is what enlightens my education, without it, I could not develop as a professional.”

Eswin Chumil Chopén

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Miriam Cuc Bixcul
Literacy Coach

Clara González y González
Literacy Coach

Miriam Cuc Bixcul

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Clara González y González

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Jorge Sanum
Senior Supervisor

Marilena Ixen
Supervisor

Kelly Batz
Sustainability Program Manager

Pahola Aju Coy
Literacy Coach

Jorge Sanum

Joined Child Aid: 2011
Hometown: El Síto, Chimaltenango

So much of everything we do and accomplish is the result of our ability to think. If we focused more on the development of children, we would have a better, fairer and more equitable world for everyone.

Marilena Ixen

Joined Child Aid: 2012
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

Reading is a powerful tool that opens doors to new opportunities. Child Aid is opening new opportunities for many children in Guatemala, as well as giving me a new opportunity to grow personally and professionally as an indigenous woman. Thank you Child Aid for creating new dreams and realities!

Kelly Batz

Joined Child Aid: 2013
Hometown: San Andrés Semetabaj , Sololá

Teaching and learning from teachers and children in schools through reading has been an adventure that has allowed me to develop skills and help others to develop them too.

Pahola Aju Coy

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

“I am fascinated by reading. It has helped me in all aspects of my life. I believe that by helping children develop a passion for reading, we give them the ability to create and formulate their own ideas, which, in turn, will support the development of Guatemala.”

Sefora Canu Aju
Literacy Coach

Heidy Coyote Mactzul
Literacy Coach

Maria de los Ángeles Guerrero Sipac
Literacy Coach

Brenda Jochola Cocon
Literacy Coach

Sefora Canu Aju

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

“I am very grateful to her parents because, in spite of the fact that they did not have the opportunity to go to school, they set out to give their children an education as they are convinced that education is the best tool for personal and social development. I am proud to be part of Child Aid as it focuses on critical thinking in children and contributes to improving the quality of education in Guatemala.”

Heidy Coyote Mactzul

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

Through my work with Child Aid, I have been able to have many experiences that have changed my way of thinking and acting. I am happy I can help awaken children’s smiles and imaginations through reading. I am proud to be part of bringing the changes in the life of children and teachers that our country needs.

Maria de los Ángeles Guerrero Sipac

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

"The most powerful weapon to combat ignorance is reading!. That's why Child-Aid is so important It lets me share the magic of reading with children.

Brenda Jochola Cocon

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

“I love the methodology and tools that Child Aid promotes because classes become more participatory and engaging. I want to contribute to education by making schools places of joy and not frustration.”

Edwin Tzaj Gonzales
Literacy Coach

Darwin Garcia Bala
Literacy Coach

Edwin Tzaj Gonzales

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Darwin Garcia Bala

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Jorge Sanum
Senior Supervisor

Marilena Ixen
Supervisor

Jorge Sanum

Joined Child Aid: 2011
Hometown: El Síto, Chimaltenango

So much of everything we do and accomplish is the result of our ability to think. If we focused more on the development of children, we would have a better, fairer and more equitable world for everyone.

Marilena Ixen

Joined Child Aid: 2012
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

Reading is a powerful tool that opens doors to new opportunities. Child Aid is opening new opportunities for many children in Guatemala, as well as giving me a new opportunity to grow personally and professionally as an indigenous woman. Thank you Child Aid for creating new dreams and realities!

Kelly Batz
Sustainability Program Manager

Pahola Aju Coy
Literacy Coach

Kelly Batz

Joined Child Aid: 2013
Hometown: San Andrés Semetabaj , Sololá

Teaching and learning from teachers and children in schools through reading has been an adventure that has allowed me to develop skills and help others to develop them too.

Pahola Aju Coy

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

“I am fascinated by reading. It has helped me in all aspects of my life. I believe that by helping children develop a passion for reading, we give them the ability to create and formulate their own ideas, which, in turn, will support the development of Guatemala.”

Sefora Canu Aju
Literacy Coach

Heidy Coyote Mactzul
Literacy Coach

Sefora Canu Aju

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

“I am very grateful to her parents because, in spite of the fact that they did not have the opportunity to go to school, they set out to give their children an education as they are convinced that education is the best tool for personal and social development. I am proud to be part of Child Aid as it focuses on critical thinking in children and contributes to improving the quality of education in Guatemala.”

Heidy Coyote Mactzul

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

Through my work with Child Aid, I have been able to have many experiences that have changed my way of thinking and acting. I am happy I can help awaken children’s smiles and imaginations through reading. I am proud to be part of bringing the changes in the life of children and teachers that our country needs.

Maria de los Ángeles Guerrero Sipac
Literacy Coach

Brenda Jochola Cocon
Literacy Coach

Maria de los Ángeles Guerrero Sipac

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

"The most powerful weapon to combat ignorance is reading!. That's why Child-Aid is so important It lets me share the magic of reading with children.

Brenda Jochola Cocon

Joined Child Aid: 2017
Hometown: Patzún, Chimaltenango

“I love the methodology and tools that Child Aid promotes because classes become more participatory and engaging. I want to contribute to education by making schools places of joy and not frustration.”

Edwin Tzaj Gonzales
Literacy Coach

Darwin Garcia Bala
Literacy Coach

Edwin Tzaj Gonzales

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Darwin Garcia Bala

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Rosenda Ajpacaja
Senior Supervisor •

Erick Estacuy
Supervisor •

Meliza Chacon
Literacy Coach •

Angélica Gutiérrez Barreno
Literacy Coach •

Rosenda Ajpacaja

Joined Child Aid: 2011
Hometown: Chuculjuyup, Totonicapán

I love to see the smiles of children when I read to them and the looks of amazement on their faces as we share the magic of reading together. That’s what motivates me in my work - to continue to inspire young readers in our rural communities.

Erick Estacuy

Joined Child Aid: 2013
Hometown: San Andrés Semetabaj , Sololá

When I read, I make connections with my life, so that the book lives inside me. It reinvents itself as I continue reading.

Meliza Chacon

Joined Child Aid: 2015
Hometown: Los Encuentros, Sololá

Reading, an inspiring adventure in my long walk, a path full of experiences, connections and thoughts. Reading for a lifetime!

Angélica Gutiérrez Barreno

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Mauricio Chocoj García
Literacy Coach •

Diego Ola Ola
Literacy Coach •

Indira Gómez Puac
Literacy Coach •

Mauricio Chocoj García

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Diego Ola Ola

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Indira Gómez Puac

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Rosenda Ajpacaja
Senior Supervisor •

Erick Estacuy
Supervisor •

Rosenda Ajpacaja

Joined Child Aid: 2011
Hometown: Chuculjuyup, Totonicapán

I love to see the smiles of children when I read to them and the looks of amazement on their faces as we share the magic of reading together. That’s what motivates me in my work - to continue to inspire young readers in our rural communities.

Erick Estacuy

Joined Child Aid: 2013
Hometown: San Andrés Semetabaj , Sololá

When I read, I make connections with my life, so that the book lives inside me. It reinvents itself as I continue reading.

Meliza Chacon
Literacy Coach •

Angélica Gutiérrez Barreno
Literacy Coach •

Meliza Chacon

Joined Child Aid: 2015
Hometown: Los Encuentros, Sololá

Reading, an inspiring adventure in my long walk, a path full of experiences, connections and thoughts. Reading for a lifetime!

Angélica Gutiérrez Barreno

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Mauricio Chocoj García
Literacy Coach •

Diego Ola Ola
Literacy Coach •

Mauricio Chocoj García

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Diego Ola Ola

Joined Child Aid: 2019

Indira Gómez Puac
Literacy Coach •

Indira Gómez Puac

Joined Child Aid: 2019