Guarantee Internet Access for Mayan Ixil Youth

In Chajul, Quiché where mountains surround humble adobe and wooden homes lives Jacinta Asicona, a mother, weaver, and homemaker, with her 10-year-old daughter, Juana. Their home, though simple, is full of love, culture, and a deep desire to move forward.

Not long ago, Juana could only dream of studying beyond what the small local school could offer. But everything changed when NovaNet arrived. For the first time, in the middle of their packed-earth kitchen, Juana was able to access the internet through a mobile phone. With her mother’s support, she began exploring educational videos, schoolwork, and interactive stories.

María, who only studied up to second grade herself, watches with hope as her daughter explores the world through a small screen.

“I never had that chance, but now Juana can learn something new every day,” she says, standing proudly beside her.

Thanks to the connection provided by NovaNet, Juana not only keeps up with her classes from home she now dreams of becoming a teacher, so she can educate other children in her community. Meanwhile, María has begun to receive weaving orders via WhatsApp something she never imagined would be possible.

Where others don’t reach, NovaNet connects.What’s next:

We believe that a connected community is a stronger community. In the coming months:
We will expand coverage to one more community.
We will continue proving that internet access is not a luxury  it’s a right that helps us grow together.

Thank you for being part of this digital dream. We connect more than data  we connect lives.

"NovaNet Believes in Community Development and the Drive for a Better Quality of Life"

In the municipality of Chajul, Quiché, Guatemala, entrepreneurs face significant challenges. Most new ideas don’t make it past the initial stage, and part of this struggle can be with the high costs of internet connectivity.  According to our local analysis, 70% of startup businesses face prohibitely high costs for internet access.

 Aware of this reality, NovaNet is committed to breaking down these barriers by providing connectivity solutions that empower local entrepreneurs and open doors to new opportunities.

An example of this is found in Merca-ixil, a digital platform driven by youth from the Ixil region of Guatemala. Officially established in November 2024, Merca-ixil seeks to energize the local economy by marketing regional products through digital channels.

However, as a tech-based startup in its early stage, Merca-ixil faces major challenges due to the high cost of internet access—an obstacle that limits its growth potential and impact on the community.

NovaNet, a social enterprise dedicated to digital inclusion in the Ixil region, is providing critical support to Merca-ixil by facilitating internet access. This effort removes barriers and helps drive the development of this promising initiative.

"Merca-ixil", a digital startup still in its early days, is already demonstrating the transformative power of internet connectivity in the Ixil region. With access to the web, the initiative has established an online presence through its website https://mercaixil.com/, creating a direct channel for marketing local products.

Let’s invest in the future of the Ixil region. Together, we can bring connectivity to even more local ventures!