Professional inclusion of Mayans with hearing disabilities as programmers

We are empowering Guatemalan Mayans with hearing disabilities to receive financial remuneration for work as members of a team of software programmers, graphic designers, and IT trainers.

There are more than 175,000 Mayans in Guatemala who have hearing disabilities that range from partial to complete hearing loss. They suffer particularly from exclusion from many social sectors and fight against a triple form of discrimination: as Mayan people, as members of those near or below the poverty level, and as people with disabilities. 

After an executed needs assessment, market analysis and the development of a vocational training concept from 2018 to 2020, our local non-profit partner organization Todos Somos Uno (TSU), started in 2021 to train 10 students with online training in the basics of algorithms, software languages like Java, Kotlin, Python, HTML, CSS3, design tools like Photoshop, and soft skills like presentation, teamwork, project work, and train-the-trainer work.

Since March 2022, during the program’s 2nd year, students from all over Guatemala are deepening their knowledge of the topics mentioned above. The first measurable result is the development of the Android Travel Guatemala App prototype, allowing tourists to easily and affordably travel through Guatemala: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.travelappguatemala.

In the 3rd year in 2023, there will be 10 new students, and some experienced students will train them without needing a sign language interpreter. Furthermore, the experienced students will carry out software projects with an IT expert as a virtual online team member and receive their first remuneration for their work. 

The Equilibrium Foundation has been funding this innovative project since 2018, and some of the needed funds have already been collected, but there is still money missing for computer equipment, internet and the salaries of the trainers and interpreters. With that, TSU and the team will get closer to the vision of the 1st software training center for Mayans with hearing disabilities in Guatemala.
 
The Equilibrium Foundation was founded in 2014 as a non-profit social impact organization based in Hamburg, Germany. Following our principles, especially with our core values of empathy and respect, we act according to our motto: "Act Local, Think Global" to create a fairer world. We support disadvantaged people, micro-entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations in the Global South in the areas of education, culture and the environment. Equilibrium Foundation's related core activities consist of project management, resourcing and training.