Valeria Avilés
GRADUATES
Valeria joined Fotokids at age 15 through the Girls Life Skills Program. Fotokids provided her with both financial support through scholarships and, just as importantly, a safe space where she felt valued and understood.
Through photography and design, Valeria discovered her calling in the arts. Fotokids introduced her to visual communication, offered opportunities to showcase her work, and even employed her as part of the teaching team. These early experiences gave her the skills and confidence to pursue art as a lifelong career.
Over the years, Valeria’s artwork has been exhibited across Guatemala and internationally in cities like London, Rome, Madrid, and New York. She has built a career as a contemporary artist and graphic designer and is now recognized as a cultural voice in her country. At the same time, she leads the creative team at Maya Toons, an NGO that creates books and animations for children, focusing on biodiversity, multiculturalism, and education.
For Valeria, art has never been just about personal success—it has been a tool for social change. She continues to use her skills to collaborate with organizations committed to inclusion, education, and the preservation of Guatemala’s cultural and natural heritage. Her story shows how Fotokids can be the bridge between a young person’s uncertainty and a career of influence, impact, and purpose.
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