Raising Hope for Healing Survivors

Hi my name is Sebedeo, I am 10 years old, I was born in the department of Quiché, my father died in an accident because he was an alcoholic, before dying several times he tried to abuse from me. My mother is the one who takes care of us, but to be honest brothers are the ones that are really taking care of me, most of the time I'm with them because my mother always has a lot of work and she gets up very early in the morning and always arrives at night and sometimes I don’t see her very often.

We came to live in Antigua because in our town there are no good opportunities to work, thank God we are safe here, but we do not have the love of our mom. Since I was 5 years old, I have worked, I get on the buses to sell sweets and chewing gum, my sister also does it, in some occasions I have also worked to shine shoes and also to wash cars.

My mom had many friends, sometimes I took them to the house to stay and sleep there, I listen to everything they say and do. Due to this situation we were referred by the Court to the Asociación Nuestros Ahijados, because my mother did not want to put us to study and just wanted us to work.

After selling candy, shining shoes, being at risk in the streets, not having to eat, I am in the Dreamer Center School, I am very happy to receive classes and not have to work hard, I’m in first grade, all the days I receive breakfast and lunch, besides that I have a safe place to be and people to play with.

My mother is the only one who works and she also attends a group of women from the Association called "Mothers' Club" and receives vegetables every Friday, thanks to the support of the Association my life has improved, I feel very happy and wanting to achieve my dreams of being a veterinarian.