Flor Tzaj’s story begins in the town of Tecpán, Guatemala. Flor, now 19 years old, was one of nine children and grew up in a community bound to the rhythms of the land.
Her father worked in a factory, a rarity in a place where most people made their living from farming. In this environment, Flor grew up as an academically curious and hard-working young lady.
Tecpán, with its comfortable, temperate cold climate, is surrounded by forests and mountains. It was the first capital of Guatemala and is one of the oldest cities in Central America. Here, Flor and her siblings grew up understanding the native Kaqchikel as well as learning Spanish from their parents.
“I learned both languages in my house,” Flor said.
Every day, Flor and her siblings walked to school. They learned in three languages—Kaqchikel, Spanish, and eventually English. Although Flor learned English at her elementary school, the quality of instruction was not great.
“It was not until I joined Esperanza Juvenil that I truly began to develop my language skills,” Flor said.
Her elementary school was small, and the lessons were simple, but Flor took to schoolwork, as evidenced by her graduating with honors at every stage of her education.
Flor’s life changed when her family learned about Esperanza Juvenil. The Guatemalan affiliate of Boys Hope Girls Hope runs its own school and multiple residences in Guatemala City. Through education and opportunities, Esperanza Juvenil offers scholars a chance at something more.
Her parents, though hesitant, agreed to let her go. Sending nine children to school in their hometown was prohibitively expensive. Sending two of them to Esperanza Juvenil would ease the financial burden. Flor’s parents had heard about the program through the family of Lucas, the Executive Director of Esperanza Juvenil, who is also a native of Tecpán. Flor and one of her sisters applied and were accepted into the program. She was nine years old when she leapt into the unknown, away from the familiar hills of her home, and moved to Guatemala City.
Flor Tjaz with her parents at her graduation from Esperanza Juvenil.
“It was a challenge but then I said ‘I need to continue because I am alive. I need to graduate, I need to find a college and look for the opportunities that are coming somewhere.”
Esperanza Juvenil was different than the school she came from. The school days were longer, starting early and stretching into the late afternoon. Every subject demanded attention—math, language, music. Flor learned that to succeed, she had to work harder and study more than before. But she was not alone. The program had a staff that cared, mentors who guided her, and peers who shared her journey.
“The tias were the ones who, if I felt sad, I could go talk to them and they would help me,” Flor said.
The city was a far cry from Tecpán. The noise, the people, the constant movement—it was overwhelming at first. But Flor adapted. She found strength in the routine and structure that Esperanza Juvenil provided. She was now a student with a newfound purpose: it was here that she met the residential counselors at Esperanza Juvenil who inspired her to pursue a degree in clinical psychology. A psychology course in high school also deepened her interest in the subject, driven by her passion for improving people’s well-being.
Flor Tzaj as a young scholar at Esperanza Juvenil in Guatemala City.
As she grew, so did her dreams. Flor wanted to learn but also to help and to give back. In 2022, she applied for a scholarship through the She Can program, a challenging process that tested not just her knowledge but her resolve. The many interviews were intense, the competition fierce, but Flor pressed on. She won the full-ride scholarship, which also paired her with five mentors in the US.
That same year, just as she was getting ready to graduate from Esperanza Juvenil’s high school and working on her application to the She Can scholarship program, Flor’s younger sister, Fatima, passed away at age 10 from meningitis. Flor grieved, but she also remained steadfast in her pursuit of her dream. Becoming a She Can scholar was a big part, as the organization “identifies high-achieving young women in Cambodia, Rwanda, Liberia, and Guatemala and supports them on their path to leadership” through full-ride scholarships to top schools in the US, a team of dedicated mentors, and exclusive leadership training opportunities.
“It was a challenge but then I said ‘I need to continue because I am alive. I need to graduate, I need to find a college and look for the opportunities that are coming somewhere,” Flor said.
Martin Totland
Martin Totland is the Communication and Media Coordinator at Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Headquarters.
Flor enrolled at the University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, a world away from Guatemala. The winters are harsh, but the people are kind. She is studying clinical psychology with a minor in public health, driven by a desire to understand the mind and to help those who struggle to “combine physical and mental well-being practices to achieve a healthy balance.” Her goal is clear: graduate, return to Guatemala, and make a difference. She wants to teach her community about mental health, to be a voice for those who cannot speak, to give back in ways that are real and lasting.
Throughout her journey, Flor has amassed experience she won’t hesitate to share with young scholars now entering the program.
“Ask for help all the time! Don’t be shy and ask your teachers if you need something. Also, always give your best,” she said.
“Organize your time, organize your schedule, be curious, and have discipline and responsibility. That was something that helped me,” she continued
Flor’s journey is not over. Four years of hard work in college are ahead of her. But she has proven that she can endure, that she can thrive even when the odds are against her. Her story is one of strength, resilience in the face of adversity, and of determination to make the world a better place, one step at a time.