To explain how Foundation Todos Juntos started, it is best first to tell the story of Pop Wuj Spanish School. In 1990, six socially conscious Guatemalan Spanish teachers living in Quetzaltenango took the necessary steps to create a non-profit language school to generate revenue to put towards funding sustainable projects addressing the social problems of Guatemala. With the help of friends, a large enough loan was brought together to start the school in 1992. As the school increased in popularity, students began sharing their experiences with friends.
Pop Wuj’s projects grew in number and extent as the organization’s popularity grew, funded in part by a percentage of each student’s tuition. The scholarship program, which began with the conception of the school, was joined in 1998 by the medical program and in 2000 by Spanish programs for social workers and educators.
Foundation Todos Juntos was formed to assist the organization in furthering its mission to support public health projects and provide educational scholarships in highland Guatemala through locally organized programs while promoting sustainability and accountability.
With more funds coming in, the teachers were able to begin implementing their programs on a larger scale and, in 2004, were able to start a new Environmental Sustainability program. Furthermore, the new funding from Todos Juntos enabled them to construct schools and latrines in their communities.
Foundation Todos Juntos is entirely run by volunteers so over 95% of the money raised can directly support these important projects.