DIRECTOR I am Juan Manuel Chavajay Cotuc, a Maya Tz’utujil man and the founder—over 20 years ago—of the Taa’ Pi’t Intercultural Educational Community NGO. In the early years, I served as president, legal representative, and director; during the very first months, I also handled operations and custodial duties myself. I currently remain the director. Naturally, I have faced various challenges, and fortunately, I have received support from many friends and colleagues in resolving them. It gives me great satisfaction to see Taa’ Pi’t still in existence and evolving, especially after having faced closure three times due to a lack of funds. I take pride in having led the creation of television programs during the COVID-19 pandemic—despite having no prior experience in that area—and in successfully gaining acceptance for our local curriculum after it was initially rejected by parents. I am also proud of the impact our cultural, ecological, and nutritional programs have had on public schools in our municipality, as well as our work in mobilizing the community to care for Lake Atitlán through the lens of our educational initiatives and our efforts to revitalize ancestral agricultural practices in the area. Ultimately, I love what I do; it is central to my life’s mission and my personal fulfillment. My hope is that future generations will carry on this life project.