Health.
Education.
Entrepreneurship.
Konojel is a nonprofit organization that works together with the community of San Marcos la Laguna, Guatemala in seeking collective well-being and sustainable social development.
Tour San Marcos la Laguna, virtually!Konojel stands for “All Together” in the Kaqchikel Language.
All Together is our mainstay.
San Marcos la Laguna is a community located in the western area of Guatemala, surrounded by mountains, volcanoes, and the amazing Lake Atitlán. Indigenous Kaqchikel people live in this town, and they are respectful, kind, and peaceful. Expats have also found a place here with energy that transforms.
However, as with other communities around Guatemala,
1 of every 2 people lives in poverty. Malnutrition percentages in San Marcos are worrying, government-funded education ends at 9th grade, and school dropouts are high.
Our Core Values
Become a monthly donor and change lives.
All donation amounts are welcome.
$100
With $100 per month you will transform 1 woman’s life, her children and her family, through health and well-being.
$200
With $200 per month you will instantly transform one student’s life and their future, promoting their ability to change their community and accomplish their dreams.
$1000
With $1000 per month you will support a group of 50 students in the computer lab, gifting them a competitive advantage in IT and access to tech education.
Our Programs:
We believe that by working together we can transform San Marcos into a sustainable community, where everyone can be included.
-
Healthy Babies
Approximately one-third of children under the age of five in San Marcos live with chronic malnutrition. To help alleviate this challenge, we have developed Healthy Babies, a program for women and their children where education, practice, and support are the basis for well-nourished children, happy moms, and community well-being.
-
Young Leaders
Poverty causes many young people to drop out before completing their education. In San Marcos, there is no high school, so only one-fourth of the children complete their education in another town. Some students do not even complete primary school. We motivate children to complete their education with our Young Leaders program which provides academic scholarships and workshops in leadership and active community participation.
-
Computer Lab
Our computer lab functions as the main technology center for the local schools, giving students free access to computers, computer training, and the internet. We offer workshops, support, and opportunities in technology. Our lab currently supports about 50 students from San Marcos la Laguna.
-
Konojel Restaurant
The Konojel Restaurant - which has been highly rated in travel guides - offers employment and job training for women. This sustainable social enterprise provides funding for the Konojel programs and, in recent years, has provided more than 25% of its operating budget by offering freshly-prepared, delicious meals and excellent service.
If you are in San Marcos, be sure to stop by!
-
![]()
Yaneth Cholotío
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
-
![]()
Abigail Schwartz
PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
-
![]()
Flora Mendoza
HEALTHY BABIES MANAGER
-
![]()
Silvia Sajvin
YOUNG LEADERS MANAGER
-
![]()
Izabel Puzul Quiacaín
HEAD COOK, KONOJEL RESTAURANT
