Nomad B'atz, Inc.

Nomad B'atz strives to support indigenous Peoples efforts to have a thriving culture including their language, songs, rituals, and ancestral practices in their place of origin.  The current main focus of Nomad B'atz is Escuelita Rxin Ya', The Little School on the Mother Waters. 

The Escuelita Rixin Ya' project provides free, holistic education to children in two communities surrounding Santiago on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Addressing a critical need for accessible education in the local language in the region, the project offers a comprehensive curriculum encompassing core academic subjects like reading, writing, mathematics, science, and languages, alongside vital holistic skills development in permaculture, sports, arts, manual skills, and music. A unique and central element of the program is its dedication to the preservation and revitalization of the local Tz'utujil language, woven throughout all aspects of the curriculum.

Since its inception in early 2024, Escuelita Rixin Ya' has demonstrated significant impact. Initial community surveys revealed a concerningly low literacy rate in Tz'utujil, with only 25% of students able to read and write basic text. Through focused language instruction and integration into the broader curriculum, the project has achieved remarkable progress. Current assessments indicate a dramatic increase in Tz'utujil literacy, with over 90% of participating students now proficient in reading and writing the language. 

Escuelita Rixin Ya' is a collaboration between Learn Achieve Become (L.A.B.) and Nomad B'atz, and occurs on two locations near Santiago Atitlan, Tierra Del Suenos with the support of residents there, and Chukumuk close to Santa Cruz.  

We have great appreciation for the local mentors and support staff in the region particularly Aliix Munoz, and Ariel Aboutboul who has granted us access to the property at Tierra Del Suenos. 

We plan to expand the program over the coming years to reach all the Tz'utujil communities on Lago Atitlan.  

The lead instructor for Escuelita Rixin Ya' is Mariano Pablo Lacan, local Tz'utujil Mayan residing in Santiago Atitlan.