Change a Life, Educate a Child

Juana Sarai Xitamul lives in the neighborhood of San Felipe de Jesus near Antigua, Guatemala.   She comes from a very poor family.  Her mother works as  a housekeeper and earns only 400 Quetzales a month, the equivalent of about $50.  Her father works as a brick layers assistant when he can get the work.  Juana was raised by her grandmother until she was six years old.  Her grandmother cared for her because her mother worked all day and her father was nowhere to be found. 

Juana now lives with her mother, who she loves very much and who does her best to care for her.   Her father also lives with them, however, he is not as kind as her mother.  His moods vary and he is often unpredictable.  Sometimes he treats Juana very well but he has hit her on occasion in the past and for that reason Juana no longer wants to live with them.  Juana would like to return to her grandmother’s home, however, due to her grandmother’s relationship with her father, she will not allow her to live with her again.

Juana is presently studying at the Scheel Center and is focusing on Tourism and Hotel Management.  She hopes to someday work at a fancy hotel and be able to travel many places and see the world.  She dreams of being able to change her socioeconomic status in order to be able to help her family.