In the heart of Quetzaltenango, nicknamed Xela, a city with breathtaking mountain vistas and numerous stone quarries, Johannes B. Kerner, German television presenter, encountered a jarring scene. Young Juan (10), knee-deep in this unforgiving environment, was swinging a heavy hammer, his only tool, in exchange for a meager income.
Unlike the children from burgundy-clad families strolling down the road towards school, Juan was destined for the quarry. The division between wealth and poverty in Guatemala is stark, as evidenced by the contrast between these two groups of children.
Danger lurked in every corner of the quarry, and Juan had barely escaped serious injury. His brush with danger was apparent when a nearby child wept in agony, his toes gushing blood after slipping with his sledgehammer. The situation gloomily demonstrated that sympathy would not lead to change in this place.
Despite the countless hardships, Juan exhibited resilience and a remarkable outlook. "No child should have to work in a quarry," Kerner admired during his visit. Juan, however, continued his daily routine, a hammer in hand and a broken shoe on foot.
The gap between the careers of these children was as extreme as the environment itself. Exploring the quarry, Juan stumbled upon his peers heading to school, each carrying comic-packaged backpacks. Life's harsh realities led these children to contribute to the family income.
According to UNICEF and local statistics, more than half of Guatemalan children live in poverty, while extended poverty afflicts about a quarter of the population.[1] Juan's parents strained under financial pressure, and their young son's meager income from the stone chiseling proved crucial. The boy managed to earn three euros after a grueling eight-hour shift.
Juan had the privilege of participating in a program run by Kindernotslife. Such programs welcome the chance for a brighter future, offering children like Juan an opportunity to learn in the afternoon - reading, writing, arithmetic, and mathematics, which, surprisingly, were Juan's favorite subjects.
But not all children were as fortunate. Maria, only seven years old, already worked in the quarry. Her role was to help Juan, shifting the boulders he had chiseled to the awaiting vehicle. Maria had not lost hope and hoped to become a housekeeper someday, remarking during an interview that she enjoyed homework, which she considered an essential component of her ambitious plan.
Maria's goals reflected the determination of the quarry children, settling for little rest and no room for dreams as they trudged through life's harsh realities. Despite her efforts, the cold clay floor of her home was her only companion at night.
Organizations such as "A Heart for Children" and German Kindernothilfe aim to construct a new school in the region, home to such quarry children – a getaway for children like Maria and Juan – turning the town's neglected stone quarries into a sanctuary shaped by knowledge and a chance at a better life.
[1] World Bank, op cit.
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