Petronila (pictured above) is an Educator for the 'Caminar Juntos' project, based in Guatemala City. The project, run by our local partner, Puerta de Esperanza, is centred around La Terminal market.
The market area is home to many impoverished indigenous families who have migrated to the city. These families often live and work in overcrowded conditions within the market, or in precarious settlements around it.
Many children in this area drop out of school to work in rubbish recycling, street vending, unloading trucks or other informal jobs to support their families. This exposes them to various forms of violence and abuse and puts them at risk of being recruited by criminal organisations involved in drug trafficking and contract killings.
Here Petronila shares a little about what inspires and motivates her in her work with street children.
"It was through my brother that I first became involved with Puerta de Esperanza. He said that he was going to fail the school year because he didn’t know the multiplication tables. At this point, a friend of my mother told us we could reach out to Puerta de Esperanza for help. The organisation supported us by enrolling us in the tutoring programme, where they helped us with our education and meals. Thanks to their support, I was able to continue my studies and complete a Baccalaureate in Education Guidance. I was later considered for a position in the 'Caminar Juntos' project."
a typical day
"I visit families and children, spending around 40 minutes with each family. I help them with their homework, and we share a snack with the family once a week. At midday, thanks to Toybox’s financial support, we pay for bus and taxi fares so the children from the project can attend school, as public education does not provide transportation, and their parents are busy working. I take them to school and make sure they enter their classrooms.
Then, in the afternoons, I visit the teenagers and teach them the 'PRONEA' programme. This is a national alternative education programme with a flexible model that allows them to work and study at the same time, whether from home or their workplace. Toybox’s support gives us the opportunity to connect with and support the students, providing them with materials throughout this process."
Pictured above: Educator Petronila works with a young teenager, who has just finished working 12 hours making and selling tortillas, and is now studying in a flexible home-based education programme called PRONEA.
risks and challenges
"The main problems and challenges facing the children at the project are generally related to their family circumstances, the lack of resources, and the pressure to start working at a young age. Issues such as limited access to education, exposure to harmful influences, and the risk of becoming involved in unhealthy behaviours like substance abuse are significant challenges. I’m aware that at any moment, some of our children may stop studying, start working, or leave home for the streets. I know the risks they face - from bad influences among friends, to the potential for drinking or inhaling some type of drug."
inspiration and hopes
"I am inspired to work with the children and families - the difficult situation in Guatemala leads us to look for ways for both parents and children to survive every day. I want children and young people to have the same opportunity that I had to continue with my goals and dreams, so that they can improve themselves as I had the opportunity to do.
My proudest moments have been seeing children make positive changes, such as attending school regularly and feeling supported by all the educators. Also some parents are starting to change their parenting styles. My hope for the children is that they fulfil their dreams and become people who are aware of their surroundings, always dreaming big in order to prosper as a family. I also hope that they feel God's love every day, as well as the love from us as a team."
