Schools 34 & 35
Rotary Clubs of Marysville & South Everett Mukilteo
Nochbente & Yulatizu
Nochbenté-The village of Nochbenté is located 11.2 miles (18 kilometers) from downtown Barillas at an elevation of 7,536 feet. It takes 40 minutes in 4 X 4 vehicles across paved and gravel roads to reach Nochbenté. The school is located at 15° 49´ 28” LN 91° 24´ 57” LO.
Originally part of the community of Yulatizú, Nochbenté became a separate entity in 1997, establishing its own authorities and school. The formation of Nochbenté was driven by the need to reduce the long commute for children who previously had to walk an hour to reach the school in Yulatizú and another hour to return home. The initial community consisted of 20 families from Yulatizú and Nucá.
As of today, Nochbenté is home to 480 people among 80 families. Most villagers cook with firewood on improved, yet inefficient stoves.
Nochbenté has a formal school featuring three classrooms and staffed by three teachers. The school caters to 51 children, distributed as follows:
• First grade: 9 students
• Second grade: 6 students
• Third grade: 12 students
• Fourth grade: 11 students
• Fifth grade: 8 students
• Sixth grade: 5 students
The projected enrollment for 2025 is 60 students.
The school faces several challenges, including a kitchen that is in poor condition and equipped with rudimentary and inefficient stoves. Additionally, there is a need for a computer lab to enhance the educational resources available to students.
The village doesn’t have electricity. Villagers are in talks with the municipality of Barillas and the electrical company to bring energy to the village, but it is a process that can take some time.
The village has small water springs around for drinking water, but it is not enough water for the villagers during the three months of dry season.
Yulatizú- The village of Yulatizú is located 13.5 miles (21.7 kilometers) from downtown Barillas at an elevation of 6,440 feet. It takes 50 minutes in 4 X 4 vehicles across paved and gravel roads. The school is located at 15° 49´ 11” LN 91° 24´ 30” LO.
Yulatizú was originally a livestock farm in the 1900s, owned by a Spaniard named Crisanto before being sold to Pancho Cifuentes Francisco. The first settlers arrived from Santa Eulalia, renting land to cultivate corn and beans. Between 1920 and 1930, the government purchased the land and allocated it to the settlers, establishing the village.
Today, Yulatizú is home to 450 people among 75 families.
Yulatizú has a formal school with three classrooms and three teachers. The school currently enrolls 79 children: 11 in pre-school, 17 in first grade, 16 in second grade, 9 in third grade, 10 in fourth grade, 13 in fifth grade, and 3 in sixth grade. Projections for 2025 estimate an increase to 90 students.
The school faces several challenges. The kitchen is in poor condition, with rudimentary and inefficient stoves. Additionally, there is a need for an extra classroom to accommodate the growing number of students.
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Hands for Peacemaking mission is to promote village-initiated opportunities for self-reliance in rural Guatemala. Our programs are aimed at increasing the quality of life, health and education for Guatemalans seeking the opportunity for a better future.
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“With our [Aler] stove we are saving around $140 a year—that is a huge help to our economy! The look of our kitchen has improved a lot, and we no longer have the risk of our children falling into the fire.”
