The Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya (ODIM) provides community-driven healthcare and education in the Tz’utujil Maya towns of San Pablo La Laguna and San Juan La Laguna. In addition to operating medical and dental clinics, ODIM offers six health education programs addressing a range of community needs including childhood malnutrition, adolescent health, diabetes, safe stoves, and drinking water.

Melyna Antonia Cholotío Pérez, Interim Executive Director & Director of Community and Clinical Programs

Melyna joined ODIM as a Health Promoter for the diabetes program. In March 2014 she became the new coordinator for the Scholarship program, serving as a liaison between the students, their teachers, and parents to assure the best possibility for our students to succeed. She was also the coordinator of the Diabetes program, where she managed the health promoters who work as diabetes educators. In February 2017, Melyna was promoted to Community Health & Education Program Coordinator, and in 2023 was promoted to Director of Community and Clinical Programs. She is currently studying Clinical Psychology at Mariano Galvez University in Sololá.

Pedro Méndez Coché, Finance Manager

Pedro started working with ODIM in April of 2012 as a projects coordinator. He graduated high school as a perito contador (accountant) with an orientation in computers. His work as a projects manager with Azzi, a non-profit organization in San Pablo, gave him the perfect experience to join our team. Pedro first worked as the Scholarship Program Coordinator. At the same time, Pedro was also the Coordinator of our Diabetes Program “Caminemos Juntos.” In February of 2014, Pedro was promoted to the position of Finance Manager of ODIM. The staff is so thankful for Pedro's hardwork, dedication and great ideas!

Juana Rosenda Ujpan Cholotío, Human Talent Manager

Juana was born in San Juan La Laguna. She earned a Master's degree in Intercultural Early Childhood Bilingual Education. She joined the ODIM family in 2019 as a Health Promoter in the Vivienda Saludable and taught families practices for healthy living in San Juan La Laguna and San Pablo La Laguna. In 2021, Juana received training in video production and has produced several videos to promote ODIM’s community health programs. In May 2022, Juana assumed coordination of the Vivienda Saludable program. As of June 2025, Juana is happy to be serve as the Manager of Human Talent for the ODIM team.

Damaris Jasmin Ulin Acajabon, Volunteer Manager

Damaris is studying a Master's Degree in Project Formulation and Evaluation at Departamento de Estudios de Postgrados CUNOC; she graduated in English and International Business from Mesoamerican University. She strongly supports breast cancer women through the “Damas Rosa Organization”, while also promotes and contribute to ventures that further this important work. She has successfully managed English language training programs to increase professional opportunities through strategic alliances for young job seekers and she is a university professor. Moreover, she believes that “by sharing our knowledge, we can inspire and train the next generation of professionals, creating a ripple effect of positive change”. She thrives in collaborative environments such as ODIM and is passionate about promoting our cultural heritage.

Regina Julieta Tzaj Yotz, Community Programs Manager

Julieta was born and raised in San Juan La Laguna. She graduated in 2015 from Panamericana University in Secondary Teaching and Pedagogy. She started collaborating with ODIM in 2013, as a part-time translator. She liked the work that the organization was doing so much that she stayed as a volunteer. A year later, she became a Health Promoter, first for the Healthy Mommy & Me program and later for the Diabetes Program. During this time she realized how much she enjoyed working with the participants and having an impact on their life. After working as Coordinator for the Diabetes Program for several years, Julieta was promoted in 2023 to the position of Manager of Community Programs. Her favorite part of working consists of organizing activities and managing the health promoters.

Rosario Leja Guaján, Healthy Mommy & Me Program Coordinator

Rosario was born and raised in San Pablo La Laguna and started working at ODIM in 2012 as a volunteer and translator. In 2015 she became a Healthy Mommy & Me Health Promoter and two years later she was promoted to the position of Healthy Mommy & Me Program Coordinator. Before joining ODIM, Rosario received training from World Vision, where she learned about malnutrition in children and how to prevent it. Her favorite part of her job is that she is able to teach people and help them improve their lives.

Betty Nicolasa Pérez Cholotío, Adolescent Health Program Coordinator

Betty was born and raised in San Juan La Laguna. She graduated high school as a teacher and has several years of experience working in local schools and non-profits. She started collaborating with ODIM in 2012, as a Health Promoter. A year later, she became a Dental Assistant and stayed in that position for 3 years. Currently, she holds the position of Adolescent Health Program Coordinator. She enjoys working in the community and being able to help with its development. Her goal is to break the numerous taboos surrounding sex education and enable teenagers to make their own informed decisions.

Kelly Josefina Mendoza Cholotío, Let's Walk Together Program Coordinator

Kelly J. Mendoza Cholotio was born and raised in San Juan La Laguna. She graduated in 2013 with a bachillerato in Medicine and currently is a psychology student at the Mariano Gálvez University in Guatemala.
Kelly began to collaborate with ODIM in 2019 as a Health Promoter of the “Let's Walk Together” Diabetes Program. Two years later, she was promoted to Program Coordinator. What she likes most about her work is listening to and attending to the needs of people with diabetes in the community.

Juanita Lourdes Ujpán Bizarro, High Impact Home Improvement Program Coordinator

Juanita Bizarro is from San Juan La Laguna. She earned her degree as a Professional Nurse. She joined the ODIM family in 2022 as a promoter for the Let's Walk Together program. In August 2025, Juanita assumed the coordination of the High Impact Home Improvement program. Her goal is to empower families in San Juan and San Pablo, as well as to inform and raise beneficiaries about preventive health topics to improve their quality of life through the practice of good hygiene habits.

Josefa Ixcayá Ixcayá, Healthcare Provider and Clinic Administrator

Josefa, originally from San Pablo La Laguna, has been involved with ODIM since 2010. She started as a volunteer Health Promoter and then worked as a diabetes Health Promoter. In this role, she taught classes and provided one-to-one support for individuals in ODIM’s diabetes program. In November 2020, Josefa graduated from Panamericana University with a bachelor's degree in Nursing and Health Management and wrote her thesis about diabetes. Josefa is one of the several staff members who received an ODIM scholarship to pursue her education. Her favorite part of the job is learning about the work that the doctors are doing. Her ultimate goal in her work is to be the best nurse she can be

Pedro Emmanuel Cuc Cholotío, Healthcare Provider

Emmanuel Cholotio is from San Juan La Laguna and holds a degree in Professional Nursing from Universidad Panamericana. He first came to know the San Juan clinic through a dental appointment, and later completed his high school medical internship at ODIM. In 2023, he officially joined the ODIM team as a Promoter for the Healthy Mommy and Me program.

In 2026, he began his role as a healthcare provider, marking another milestone in his personal goals. Being able to work for ODIM in medical clinics had been a goal of his ever since completing his supervised internship, and it feels great and means a lot to him. His greatest dream is for local families to have a healthy future, with happy children who can attend school, pursue their education, and achieve all of their goals.

Cecilia Faustina Hernández Vásquez, Pharmacy Specialist

Cecilia Faustina Hernández Vásquez is an auxiliary nurse originally from San Juan la Laguna. She started with ODIM as a volunteer and translator in May 2013. In 2015, she was a participant in the Healthy Mommy & Me program and later became a Health Promoter in the program, a position which she held from 2016 to 2020. Cecilia is passionate about working with mothers and children and her time in the program allowed her to see mothers empowered with food and healthy care for their babies. In 2017 Cecilia was assigned to a position where she digitizes data from the Let's Walk Together and Healthy Mommy & Me programs. She is happy to work in her community and proud to see the results of these programs where ODIM is successfully fighting malnutrition and controlling glucose levels of patients with diabetes.

Dominga Micalea Quic Mendoza, Dental Assistant & Operations

Dominga was born and raised in San Juan La Laguna and has a high school degree in accounting with a specialization in computing. She began working at ODIM in 2020 as a Health Promoter in the Caminemos Juntos Diabetes program. She started working as Dentist Assistant in 2022 and moved into the Finance Assistant role in 2023. She considers working with and knowing people with diabetes to be indescribable because she has learned so much from them and their constant struggle to improve their health. To be a part of ODIM is to grow, to know, and to learn more each day.

Mónica Elizabeth Lejá Guaján, Clinic Receptionist

Mónica, born and raised in San Pablo La Laguna, is honored to have the opportunity to support her community by providing them access to affordable health care. She has been involved with ODIM since 2009 as a community Health Promoter and a teacher in our scholarship program. She is trained as a teacher and appreciates the opportunity to teach the youth of San Pablo and to continue to expand her skill set. Serving as the receptionist of both ODIM clinics, Monica is excited to expand her computer skills and also to provide excellent service for patients.

Dominga Elvira Mendoza López, Custodian - Clínica Sanjuanerita

Elvira is happy to be part of ODIM. In 2009 she started as a health promoter, then moved to her current position in 2010 as a clinic custodian, during which time she has witnessed the growth of this organization. Elvira always tries to make a good impression with her work and to maintain optimal conditions in each area of the Sanjuanerita Clinic. She will continue to do her best for ODIM because this work has helped her to raise her family and be an example for her children because all work is worthy.

Olinda Lejá Guajan, Custodian - Clínica Chuitinamit

Olinda has been working at ODIM for 12 years. She started with ODIM in 2008 as a Health Promoter in the “Let’s Walk Together” Diabetes Program. Since 2020, she has been in charge of cleaning at the Chuitinamit Clinic. Her work helps prevent illnesses among workers and patients and ensures that they can enjoy a pleasant and clean environment.

Cindy Yadira Cristel Quiacaín Quiacaín, Women's Health Specialist & Healthcare Provider

Cristel Quiacaín is from San Pablo La Laguna. She is a Licensed Practical Nurse and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and Health Management, a journey that reflects her ongoing commitment to learning and service. In 2023, she joined ODIM where she began as a promoter for the Healthy Mommy and Me program. Then moved to her current position in 2026 as the Women's Health Coordinator and Healthcare Provider at ODIM's clinics. Her dream is for every woman to feel empowered, for children to grow up in healthy environments, and for families to have access to the information and care they deserve, allowing them to build a future filled with hope and a better quality of life.

Miguel Ixcayá Ujpan, Security Guard Chuitinamit Clinic

Miguel Ixcayá is from San Pablo La Laguna and is a fundamental pillar of the ODIM team. His journey with the organization began on January 1, 2016, when he took on the key role of clinic guardian. Since then, his daily work has ensured the safety and smooth operation of the facilities that provide healthcare to local residents. For Don Miguel, being a part of ODIM represents a profound blessing, as it has allowed him to serve as a direct source of support and an agent of well-being for the development of his own community.

Angelica María Mendoza Mendoza, Communications & Volunteer Assistant

Angélica Mendoza is from San Juan La Laguna. Graduated with a Technical Degree in Tourism from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala in 2025. She has hands-on experience in community based tourism in San Juan La Laguna. Furthermore, she has actively supported local community missions by serving as an interpreter. She joined the ODIM family as Development Assistant at ODIM. What she enjoys most is acting as a bridge between cultures through language breaking down communication barriers and creating spaces where everyone feels included.

`Health Promoters & Educators`

Meby Rosario Pérez Porón, Promoter for the Adolescent Health Program

Meby Rosario Pérez Porón is originally from San Pablo La Laguna, Sololá, and graduated as a Nursing Technician from Universidad Mariano Gálvez.

She has professional experience in an international research project led by the University of Bergen and the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP). Between April 2024 and July 2025, she served as a field nurse, acquiring expertise in collecting biological samples from more than 250 families in the municipalities of San Pablo La Laguna and San Juan La Laguna.

Currently, she works as a Promoter for the Adolescent Health Program at ODIM, where she aims to foster the physical, mental, and social well-being of adolescents through preventive education and active youth engagement. Her vision is to advance professionally and deliver compassionate, human-centered service to society.

Maria Isabel Yotz Ujpan, Health & Education Promoter - Let's Walk Together

Isabel is from San Juan La Laguna and graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work with a focus on Sustainable Development from Universidad Panamericana. She joined the ODIM team in 2025 as a Promoter for the Caminemos Juntos (Let's Walk Together) program. Her vision is a future where participants embrace meaningful changes in their diet and daily habits to manage type 2 diabetes, fully supported by the ongoing awareness and involvement of their families.

Lucila Elena Mendoza Ujpán, Health & Education Promoter - High Impact Home Improvement / Interim Finance Assistant

Lucila Ujpán is from San Juan La Laguna. She joined ODIM in 2023 as a Promoter for the High Impact Home Improvement program, where she finds deep fulfillment in working alongside families and contributing to preventive health within their homes. One experience that left a lasting impression on her was when a participant shared that, thanks to the program's support, she would finally have her own stove to cook for her daughter, after previously having to borrow one. Lucila's vision is to continue expanding the program's reach, bringing meaningful support to more families and communities in need.

Lucas Reynaldo Lejá Quiacaín, Health & Education Promoter - High Impact Home Improvement

Reynaldo Quiacain is from San Pablo La Laguna and earned a Technical Degree in Social Work in 2024. He joined the ODIM team in 2025 and serves as a Promoter for the High Impact Home Improvements program. He takes great pride in visiting and engaging with participant families to truly understand their real needs. For Reynaldo, the true value of his work lies in ensuring that each intervention brings genuine, lasting change to family health by preventing respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Becky Nicolasa Temó Vásquez, Health & Education Promoter - Healthy Mommy & Me, San Pablo La Laguna

Becky Vásquez is from San Juan La Laguna. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing in 2024. From 2021 to 2023, she worked as a primary care nurse at La Salle. In 2024, she moved her practice at Hospital in Guatemala City, and from 2024 to 2026, she served at AMI San Lucas in San Juan La Laguna, consolidating her expertise in community care and well-being. She joined ODIM in 2026 as a Promoter for the Healthy Mommy and Me program. Her vision is a future where families have access to the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and thrive in health and well-being.

Our Staff