Maria and Kenia

I have some big updates!!!

So today as I was on my way to the bank around Central Park I passed by my favourite coffee shop, then by the man that I usually by my paper from. As always the same old woman was sitting there as well; I'm pretty sure she is homeless but she doesn't come to the shelter as she seems to be a drinker. I thought nothing of it as I passed by until I noticed another woman next to her who looked like Maria Esperanza. I kept going but then turned around just in case it was her. When I got close I realized that it was Maria, but she looked nothing like herself. Her face was red, puffy, she looked out of it, and was not in great spirits, which she confirmed to be true by saying "me molesta" (I'm annoyed, bothered). A woman selling papers came over right away and explained to me that Maria had had several attacks that morning, and had fallen many times in the park which she sleeps in. The woman told me that Maria was having so many attacks because she didn't have her pills for epilepsy, which I had always thought was the problem, but it had never been confirmed until then. She also said that the night before the police had come and thrown Maria's clothes in the garbage, which made me so mad!! Maria sat there catatonic as the woman and I talked.

I asked what kind of pills she took and Maria was able to tell me. I don't know if what I did next makes any sense because it certainly isn't a long term solution, but I said that I was going to get her some pills, and off I went...

So I go to the first pharmacy that I see close to Central Park, which is also gringo central (meaning lots of tourists) where I'm told that they have the same medicine as what I needed, but a brand name. It was going to be like $40! I knew that Maria wasn't buying these pills as she would never be able to afford that, so I went back empty handed to tell Maria that I would try and find her pills that afternoon, and that she should come to the shelter that night. I wasn't sure whether it would sink in given how out of it she seemed, but went on my way. As I was leaving, my newspaper guy was giving Maria some food which was nice. So from now on I'm not going to buy my paper from anyone else but him as he clearly has a good heart...

That afternoon my Spanish teacher explained that medicine is very expensive in Guatemala, especially when you don't buy generic, which some pharmacies don't sell, especially the gringo ones. So thankfully with her help, that afternoon I found a local pharmacy and bought probably close to 10 days pf pills, for $4. I was pretty proud of myself!

That night Maria arrived at the shelter and much earlier than normal. She still wasn't herself and almost seemed like she had been the night when she got upset about losing her shoes. She looked mad and said nothing to nobody. There was certainly no smile like the one I usually see from her. I gave her one packet of pills and asked the staff whether the rest can stay at the shelter for them  to dole out. They said yes thankfully so I am thinking that maybe that will help to ensure that she gets them. I am also thinking about how I can get her to the project's medical clinic where she can see a doctor and get free medication. Will have to figure that one out yet...

Alex told me that her attacks started early Tuesday morning (the morning after I had been there). She fell twice in the shelter early that morning causing them to call an ambulance. Apparently her vitals were okay so the paramedics left her and soon after she went on her way. But it seems like this is a bad week for her. The only good news is that it is possible that the police didn't actually throw her clothes out, as Alex said that she had left at least one bag at the shelter the day she had her attacks. It's not surprising that she forgets so many things given all the falls she takes..

Now, the most exciting thing happened as well tonight. I was manning the gate as usual (and I am proud to say that I am getting better at assessing when people are under the influence). I actually told one man that he couldn't come in once I had talked to him a bit, which is even more challenging given that I have to do it in Spanish!

So at one point I heard someone clang on the gate and went to see. I can never tell who it is until I get there as it's dark. Well, it was Kenia! We kissed eachother's cheeks like old friends..it was so good to see her! She told me that there was still no progress in getting the kids back. It's been 3 weeks now, and she still can't get a meeting with the judge, and still hasn't seen her kids. She told me that she had come just to see me, to see whether I would come with her the next day to try and meet with the judge. I have to say that I felt pretty honoured to have her ask me that. It turns out the following morning I was going to the same place (Chimaltenango) to help with a clothing drive, so I started to think about how I could make it work. Then I thought that we better talk with Alex to find out what the best thing to do would be.

As we talked I got more information about her situation, which sadly is similar to Canada's dark child protection history with Aboriginal people. The day the kids were taken Kenia signed something while in the organization, but she doesn't know what it said. She said she is tormented with not knowing where her children are, and more so, is worried that they will be adopted out, perhaps out of the country. Sound familiar? Alex and I both told her that wouldn't happen. Thankfully my mom had just told me about a documentary that she had seen about an adoption scandal in Guatemala where children were essentially being sold. After the scam was discovered, the country tightened things up and now out of country adoptions are prohibited.

Kenia seemed to feel somewhat reassured after hearing this, but is still clearly suffering with the delay and lack of knowledge about her children. She said that there has been no help from the organization that took the children, and no information about the process. She was quite animated as she talked about how stupid the process was and how those that were involved were like animals. She just couldn't understand the reason for them being taken. As a result Thelma and I explained to her how there was a huge problem in Guatemala with children being exploited, sold and trafficked...well she had no clue.

I of course have been involved in the same kind of work that Kenia now despises, but thankfully in Canada parents have rights, there is a formal legal process, and as well there is help for parents trying to make things better for them and their children. This is not the case in Guatemala unfortunately.
 

Alex suggested that Kenia secure a lawyer to help get the process going and it sounds like there is something like Legal Aid which she wouldn't have to pay for. We also talked with Thelma who seemed to know more about the system. She said that the process usually took 3 months. Kenia pulled out a report that had been written about the circumstances of the removal (to all my CFS peeps, it's kinda like Long Form Particulars I would say, haha). I didn't have the opportunity to read it tonight but I sure want to. According to Kenia it isn't accurate. For example it says that she is a beggar and that they had been homeless and staying in the shelter. Well Kenia had only been without a home for 1 week and they had only stayed at the shelter one night. So perhaps they don't have the facts straight..Regardless, she is still working, has a place for them to live, and she has already bought a bed and other things. She continues to impress me with the speed at which she is pulling things together. I would be returning her kids ASAP in this situation and at most be going for a Supervision Order if I were her social worker :)
 

Bless her heart, Thelma offered to go with Kenia to the organization that took the children. I offered to go as well so that's the plan, first thing in the morning for the three of us to go! I not only want to learn about the process here but also want to see that the ball gets rolling for this family that I have become so fond of. I have learnt, right or wrong, that in developing countries, being a foreigner brings a certain prestige or power. So if my presence there will bring extra attention to this family's situation, then great...

So tomorrow it is..stay tuned!!