About Us

What is Ak’Tenamit/ Guatemala Tomorrow Fund?

Ak’Tenamit is a nonprofit association that supports the efforts of dozens of remote Q’eqchi Maya villages in Guatemala to improve education, healthcare, and income.  Ak’ Tenamit was founded in 1992 by Steve Dudenhoefer, two English volunteers, and village leaders and is run by an all-indigenous board that is elected by the communities the organization serves.  The Guatemala Tomorrow Fund, Inc. (GTF) is a non-profit, non-denominational organization located in the United States that raises funds for Ak’Tenamit.  All donations made in the US are tax deductible and directly distributed to Ak’Tenamit.  Although we have two different names, we are the same organization; GTF was created purely to provide a secure, efficient way to donate to Ak’Tenamit.

What does Ak’ Tenamit do?

• Ak’ Tenamit provides basic healthcare to approximately 6,000 people in 35 Q’eqchi Maya villages.
• It gives more than 500 students a practical, vocational education at the Fr. Tom Moran Center, a jungle boarding school campus, where the national curriculum has been adapted to the students’ indigenous culture and rural reality.
• It catalyzes grass-roots development and helps village handicraft cooperatives to sell their wares at fair-trade prices, which provides vital income extremely poor families.
• It promotes gender equity, cultural pride, community solutions, environmental sustainability and the empowerment of youth.

What makes Ak’ Tenamit exceptional?

• The association and its programs are run by and for the Q’eqchi Maya people.
• Educating girls, empowering women and promoting gender equity are priorities.
• Students gain valuable skills and job experience by working at the school’s farm, handicraft shops and restaurants.
• Local people and students provide much of the labor that Ak’ Tenamit needs.  For example, the medical program relies on village health promoters and international volunteers provide specialized skills.