Chajul is a town and municipality located in the department of El Quiché within the Western Highlands of Guatemala. It forms part of the Ixil Region alongside the municipalities of San Juan Cotzal and Santa María Nebaj. The region is characterized by its mountainous geography, which has helped preserve the traditional language and customs of the Ixil Maya people.
The community faces significant socioeconomic challenges following a 36-year civil war, including high rates of poverty, land displacement, and emotional trauma. The local economy is primarily based on corn agriculture, with many residents earning an average income of $1–$3 per day. Educational attainment is low, with approximately 75% of the adult population being illiterate and fewer than 1% of children graduating from high school due to the necessity of household labor.
Public health and living conditions in Chajul are marked by significant hardships. Eighty percent of the population lives in poverty, often residing in one-room adobe houses with open cooking fires. Common health issues in the area include malnutrition, respiratory illnesses, intestinal diseases, tuberculosis, and high rates of maternal mortality.