Café Q
In the 1990s, Spanish language students in Quetzaltenango had no vegetarian dining options. Recognizing this need, Kie Balam's director, Marlo Mora, founded the city's very first vegetarian restaurant to offer healthy meals to both local Guatemalan families and international visitors.
And so, Café Q was born. It was designed to be much more than just a café; it became a restaurant with a warm, family-friendly atmosphere rich in culture, art, and tradition. The space actively supported Guatemalan artists by hosting art exhibitions, live music and marimba concerts, poetry readings, and singing recitals.
Café Q was a tremendous success. Because it was located right inside the Kie Balam facilities, students could learn Spanish, enjoy great food, and socialize with a diverse community all in one place. This vibrant environment even led to Café Q hosting Quetzaltenango's first-ever Chess Championship.
For 21 years, Kie Balam and Café Q worked hand-in-hand to support social projects. They donated books and provided financial aid to libraries and educational institutions in rural communities. Furthermore, Kie Balam students who volunteered in these rural areas were directly supported by the funds generated from Café Q's profits.
In 2017, the former Café Q space was leased to a restaurant named "Royal Paris." It operated for a year until tragedy struck on the night of January 26, 2018. A massive four-hour fire completely destroyed the facilities. Thanks to the immediate and heroic response of the Volunteer Firefighters, the flames were kept from spreading to the main Kie Balam school.
Following this devastating event, our ability to financially support our partner institutions decreased significantly. We continued to help as much as possible until the COVID-19 pandemic forced Kie Balam to close its doors due to global tourism restrictions.
Today, it remains incredibly challenging to sustain all of our planned social projects. However, we hold onto the hope that circumstances will soon improve, allowing us to fully resume our support for the communities that need it most.
If you would like to support any of our ongoing projects or donate towards the reconstruction of Café Q, please get in touch with us. Every financial contribution, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated and incredibly valuable.
