ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILIES OF THE IXIL
Asociacion Pro-Desarrollo de la Familiar Ixil
Ti’ Vin Tenam
APRODEFI

Founded in 1997 for farmers, homemakers, the youth and teachers in the rural communities of the municipality of Chajul, in the department of Quiche, Guatemala. In 2000 the organization was legally incorporated as a civil and social association.

MISSION
We are a civil organization in Guatemala composed of individuals and families come together to provide organizing, training, and self-development projects which will improve the conditions and quality of life of the people in the communities.
VISION
We see ourselves as a pioneering and sustainable organization at both the local and national levels, providing useful experience and technical capacity, developing concrete proposals for the development of the entire population.
INSTITUTIONAL OBJECTIVES

1. Promote development projects in rural communities, seeking economic and social sustainability, using strategies which will provide for the transformation and improvement of the lives of the families and all the people.
2. Contribute to the development of children and youth by means of quality education, in order to promote cultural identity and values with a focus on gender rights and equality.
3. Strengthen active and conscious participation by families, leaders and community authorities that they might be protagonists in their own development.

STRATEGIES

1. Promote actions with the goal of gaining resources which will contribute to the economic and social well-being of families, through productive projects.
2. Involving municipal authorities, non-profit organizations and other alliances and networks in the positive development of the rural population, by means of proposals which will generate increased occupational capability on the part of the people.
3. Generate proposals for training of community members in all aspects of local development.
4. Encourage the education of children and young people through the School for New Mayas (Centro de Formacion Nuevos Mayas), allowing them access to a complete education and, through that, to a life with dignity.
5. Provide young men and women, through their occupational classes, to choose their field of work, according to the methodology and philosophy of the school.
6. Encourage the students’ full exercise of their rights, including their cultural identity, their values and gender equality.
7. Involve all interested parties—parent/teacher councils—in the educational process.
8. Promote community forums and retreats with parents, community leaders and authorities in order to seek alternatives to social and economic problems of those who live in the communities.

PRINCIPLES AND INSTITUTIONAL VALUES
Our primary principle is life and coexistence with one’s environment, that is to say, that the central focus of our actions, projects and programs is always the human being in balance
with nature and with life.
OUR VALUES
Respect toward all persons and families, together whatever their culture, religion, ethnic origins, political and economic positions.
We believe in the relationship between each human being and Nature.
Equality of opportunity, decision-making and expression between men and women.
Solidarity and commitment to seek for alternatives for development
within the family and the community.
Inclusion of all involved in actions taken to achieve a life with dignity.

We draw our inspiration from our faith, both spiritual and cosmological, in the Highest Energy.
May God and Man be as one.