Meet our dynamic team on the ground in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala!

Johanny Quieju
Primary Education Scholarships Project Manager and Administrative Assistant
Johanny was the first local staff member to join Pueblo a Pueblo in 2009. Born and raised in Santiago Atitlán, she is well aware of the challenges local coffee growing families face, as well as the promise of a better future offered by Pueblo a Pueblo. She is particularly passionate about providing young children with the opportunity to attend and succeed in school.  She holds a degree in accounting and speaks Tz'utujil, Spanish and popular phrases in English.

Ana Cabrera
Administrative Director 
Ana began working with Pueblo a Pueblo in early 2014. Ana majored in forestry at the Universidad del Valle in Guatemala, then earned a diploma in community forestry from Flacso (Facultad Latinoamerica de Ciencias Sociales). She also studied in a master's degree program at USAS (Universidad de San Carlos) in the production and use of medicinal plants. In addition to her experience with financial administration and project management in the private sector, Ana has worked as a community organizer, and taught environmental education and natural resource management in protected areas of Guatemala.  

Vilma Mendoza
Women's Right to Health Program Manager and Office Coordinator 
Vilma Mendoza was born in Santiago Atitlán and is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in social work from Mariano Galvez University in Sololá. She works closely with our partner clinic, Rxiin Tnamet, to provide community outreach skills and education to the women in our Maternal Child Health and Family Planning Champions projects. Her previous experience includes working with youth, women and community organizations in various development capacities. She is the seventh of nine children and owns a clothing store that sells traditional clothes from Santiago. 

Genaro Simalaj
Beekeeping and Organic School Gardens Senior Project Technician
Genaro's past experience includes working as a coordinator for the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute (IMAP), facilitating communication about food security between farmers with REDSAG, coordinating the reference center for IJATE, and working as a livestock technician with Heifer International. Genaro’s passion for the environment and desire to protect our planet's biodiversity brought him to Pueblo a Pueblo, where he helps lead our organic gardening and beekeeping projects. Genaro is married with three children and lives in a small community outside of San Lucas Tolimán.

Hony David Julajuj Churunel
Youth Leadership Project Coordinator
Hony is the coordinator for our Youth Leadership trainings. He is finishing up his degree at la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, where he is studying to be a bilingual Kaqchikel-Spanish primary school teacher. Since 2005, he has been working in environmental education in both formal and informal settings with children and adolescents in the Lake Atitlán region. Hony has extensive experience with permaculture techniques and is committed to creating sustainable community, school, and family organic gardens around the lake. 

Rebeca Sosof Tiney
Maternal Child Health Project Coordinator and Pathways to Literacy Project Consultant
Rebeca has lived in Santiago Atitlán for her entire life. She speaks Tz'utujil and Spanish, and is currently studying to receive her degree in social work. Rebeca's passion for assisting young women and their children was sparked when she was working in a local health clinic for her practicum. She then began working with Pueblo a Pueblo's Maternal Child Health project in 2015. Rebeca is inspired every day by the young mothers who participate in Pueblo a Pueblo's programs.