After several years away from Guatemala, witnessing the present growth and expansion of the capital is remarkable. Several tall buildings have arisen in recent years, as well as shopping centers, stores, hotels, parks, and more. In this respect, Guatemala City closely resembles any typical modern city. However, this picture of prosperity is only window dressing for some; the reality is that many barrios or neighborhoods suffer from poverty, hunger, marginalization and violence. The barrios located in Zone 18 on the northeastern edge of the city are a particularly stark example of conflict and turmoil. It is considered a “red zone” of high crime and low income. The area seems to be born out of suffering: early residents suffered through the devastating 1976 earthquake that was centered northeast of Guatemala City (which resulted in 23,000 deaths). And later, displaced victims of the 36-year armed conflict fled to the area from the countryside. That influx of the poor and hungry was followed by another devastating blow, from the 1998 hurricane that wiped out many residents’ scarce possessions and means of support.
The barrio of El Limón is found in Zone 18 of Guatemala City. It is one of the communities that began as a refugee encampment after the earthquake. There are more than twenty ethnic groups residing in El Limón: Garifuna, Maya, Ajateca, Ixile, Chalchiteca, etc. They have all come from different parts of the country, and new people continue to arrive. Some twenty years ago, Sisters from the Dominican Missionaries of the Holy Rosary joined the diversity. They are a small congregation whose charisma is to be actively present among marginalized people: to evangelize and be evangelized by the poorest of society. Presently, their community here is comprised of three missionaries: Geraldine Cespedes (from the Dominican Republic), and Laura Yaxtiu and Adela Xolxol (both from Guatemala). These missionaries remain in El Limón even though Sisters from two other religious congregations were forced to leave the area because of the prevailing violence. Many people find it strange that they are willing to stay, but they have a clear position: “We cannot let ourselves be killed by fear.” They are careful and take precautions to avoid becoming entangled with the gangs or caught up in any crossfire. Many people have expressed their gratitude for the sisters, saying that just their presence lifts up the self-esteem of the barrio. Adela, who has lived and worked in the capital for eight months, assures others to not to be afraid because the good people of the place are many. “Besides,” she says, “what sense does it make for me to become a missionary, and then seek out a carefree place to work?” Their fidelity challenges and provokes us in our commitment to the marginalized of Guatemala City.
It is clearly not a convenient or “easy” path that is sought by these women. Each day they come together at dawn to strengthen their faith by contemplating the Word of God. Since these women gain their daily bread with sweat on their brow, after prayer, each one goes on to her work. Laura, who is educated in financial matters, manages the accounts of “la Diaconia” charitable action group. Geraldine is a professor of theology who teaches at the Landivar University, run by the Jesuits. Adela is the administrator for the kindergarten run by the missionaries. She also studies since she is in the first years of religious life and her formation is still underway. The women also take time each morning and evening for in-depth sharing: says Geraldine, “These moments strengthen us in the midst of fatigue, wear and tear, and discouragement.”
The remainder of the day is given to the people who need them. They cannot limit their activities to any single area because the social reality of the barrio changes very rapidly. They are currently dedicating themselves to the women and young people of the community. These Dominican Sisters witness daily to the concrete problems faced in this community, and they can synthesize those problems into two powerful words: hunger and violence. There is an old saying that basically states, “Poverty is the mother of crime.” It is easy to understand that hunger breeds desperation. Empty stomachs, inadequate resources and a lack of education all contribute to the local pre-teens entering into drug trafficking and extortion, only to become gang members and even murderous teenagers. Young women and mothers are driven into the shadows of panic and marginalization. But as Geraldine talks about confronting this situation, she says, “it requires us to work with people directly, without passing through the parish structures. We engage in barrio work—street ministry—because we are convinced that we need to exit the church in order meet the poorest people.”
Laura, Adela, and Geraldine are aware that the environment for the youth is difficult and demanding. That’s why they don’t condemn the boys who belong to the gangs. In fact, they have known many of them since they were small children, and they know their families. They understand that repression and incarceration will not address the deep roots of violence and social injustice that spring from this place. The women instead approach the situation with a calm empathy toward the struggle of these boys and their families, and they model the peace of leading a dignified life. They strongly believe that the cycle of violence can be interrupted through a positive companionship with the youth.
In another formation and education endeavor, the Sisters began a project called “Network of Wisdom.” It consists of providing scholarships to some twenty girls from the surrounding area, eight of whom will also receive a boarding room. They have received support from a couple non-governmental organizations in order to realize this project. The objectives are aimed at promoting integral growth and self-esteem. Geraldine remarks that the program will be “a place where the girls discover that from within their own limitations and financial deficiencies, they are able to grow and to give and receive—in turn, helping other people of their barrios or towns.”
These extraordinary women face many real and, at times, dangerous challenges in their work. Yet they say, without ever losing the smiles on their faces or the hope reflected in their eyes, that they are “deeply convinced that it is possible to create alternatives and transform this reality from within—the energy and potential lies in the young people.” Adela, Geraldine and Laura are always ready to share their lives and experiences. Though their ways may be unconventional to some, they are making a difference in the lives of many families in the barrios, and they are a wonderful example of deep missionary integration and companionship with the poor. In fact, their door is always open: as are their hearts. They indeed live by the motto “One must exit the church to truly encounter the poor.”
Isadore Ndjibu, cicm
Chinautla, Guatemala
Fr. Isadore Ndjibu, cicm, is a native of Kasayi Oriental in the Democratic Republic of Congo who joined Missionhurst-CICM in 1984, and was ordained in 1994. He has been working in various mission stations since 1991 and is currently assigned to the parish of St. Mark the Evangelist in the municipality of Chinautla, located just north of Guatemala City (capital of Guatemala).
