This is the story of Lidia Roxana Felipe, a young Guatemalan woman who transformed her experience of discrimination to become a beacon of hope for systemically oppressed communities.
Flying kites
Lidia grew up in Santiago Sacatepéquez, on the outskirts of Guatemala City, in a family where resilience and faith were vital companions. Her mother not emphasised the importance of women being independent – she also taught her the art of weaving.
The vibrant traditions of her community, especially the crafting of so called barriletes (kites), became a source of inspiration for Lidia. These kites, flying freely in the sky, mirrored Lidia's own aspirations for a life beyond the limitations imposed upon her.
...a complex process
“I identify with the barriletes because their making is a complex process with a lot of complications – to achieve the nuances of the colours you want to achieve, the figures and all the details – but in the end you have a beautiful barrilete flying in the air. It's like making a comparison with the life of every person who has difficulties.”
– Lidia
Structural racism
As an indigenous girl, Lidia's access to education was marked by social-cultural barriers. During her early school years, she faced discrimination that shook her confidence. She recalls how a teacher unjustly accused her of having "many lice", a widespread stereotype.
While this puzzled her parents, who consistently ensured she did not have lice, Lidia never told them about the ongoing discrimination in the classroom. Out of shame, she kept it to herself. Painful experiences like these eventually prompted her to leave school:
"It had enough of an impact on me to make me aware from a young age that it was the wrong thing to do – but these are things that we rarely talk about."
Behind the scenes photos:
Mentorship and encouragement
A turning point came when Lidia was introduced to Colectivo No'j by her sister. Colectivo No'j is an organisation that empowers particularly indigenous youth and women through leadership development, indigenous rights awareness, and community engagement.
Among its many initiatives, the scholarship programme for young women provided Lidia with the chance to resume her studies. More than just financial support, the Colectivo offered her mentorship, encouragement, and personal development workshops that reignited her ambitions and belief in her potential.
Opening spaces
The integrated support from Colectivo No'j became the wind beneath her wings, lifting Lidia back into the world of education after years of interruption. She met key mentors and soon-to-be friends Ana and Sandra who played a crucial role in guiding her through her studies.
These mentors not only advanced her career but also opened spaces for sharing learnings with others, as communal workshops are a central part of the formation process at the Colectivo. This is where Lidia found her true calling.
A calling
Lidia managed to completed her studies and became a teacher in her hometown, where she is deeply valued by her students. Her lived experiences, alongside her socio-economic and cultural sensitivity, make her a unique and empathetic educator.
Lidia's journey from exclusion in education to becoming a dedicated teacher for communities facing systemic oppression reflects the transformative power of opportunity and support. Like a barrilete that finally rises high and free after a challenging process of creation, Lidia has found her path and continues to soar, undeterred by obstacles.
Understanding and empathy
"I believe that understanding and empathy with students is fundamental to being a teacher: to be aware of the differences we have economically and that we cannot all perform in the same way."
– Lidia
Colectivo No'j, or “COL-NO'J” works in western Guatemala with children and young people, and women from rural areas and of indigenous origin. COL-NO'J is dedicated to holistic and appreciative education. Every year, COL-NO'J organizes, among other things, the "Festival Internacional de Educación para la Vida", a networking meeting for people working in education.
