The name “Chajalajyá” means “fall of thin ice” in the Kaqchikel language, because it is in a cold area and frosts were common in the past. Located 9 miles from the municipal seat in the eastern part of Tecpán, Chajalajyá was founded around 1920 and is home to 300 families. About half of the families living there are Catholics and half are Evangelicals.
Agriculture is the main productive activity in Xecoxol, particularly corn and beans but also vegetables like broccoli, sweet peas, potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower. Some men in the community work at larger farms for about $5 per day. The village has a health post offering basic medical services twice per week and a school serving about 150 students in kindergarten through primary levels. Chajalajyá has electric service, and the roads there are about 80 percent dirt and 20 percent paved, but all are passable year-round.
Our Partnership:
Chajalajyá has never received support from the government or other agencies for development initiatives. ALDEA and ABPD began working with 98 Chajalajyá families in July 2018 that completed our integrated program in May 2020. Click here to learn more about how we work with our partner communities and visit our blog to stay up to date with the latest developments on the ground in Guatemala!