For the first time in my life

Tranquilino and Maria Elena in San Miguel Choatulun at the celebration for the completion of the cement floor project.

“I am 65 years old and for the first time in my life I have a cement floor in my house.  Our community worked together to help each other mix  the cement and pour each other’s floor” said Tranquilino at the celebration in San Miguel, Choatulun, a remote village in the municipality of San Martin, Jilotepeque, on September 25, 2020.

“The women’s job was to feed the men” said Maria Elena, Tranquilino’s wife of 45 years.  “We can only express our gratitude with words and prayers because we have no way to repay this generosity.”  It was an emotional celebration for the entire community.

Thanks to a donation from Youthlink, an organization located in Salt Lake City, Utah,  22 families received cement floors.  Each family is required to help pay for the materials which meant a contribution of Q300 ($40).  Knowing the requirement and their situation due to the COVID pandemic they negotiated with us and agreed to pay one half now and one half in 2021, giving them time to save the remaining contribution.

Field Report Submitted by Amilcar Vielman, Director of Operations

 Hombres y Mujeres en Accion