Girls of Panabaj

Dear friends, my name is Mirna Yaneth Rodas. I am 12 years old and in the 5th grade. I live in the community of Panabaj. I like to study and do my homework. After class I help my mother clean the house.

Hi! My name is Maria Luisa Ramírez Reanda. I am 17 years old. I'm in the 6th year of elementary school. I live in the community of Panabaj in the municipality of Santiago Atitlán. I enjoy working every day. I work in mostacilla, which means that I make bracelets and other decorations out of little beads. In my family we speak to each other is our language of Tz'utujil. When we are together, my family is very happy.
Hi! My name is Dulce. I am 10 years old and I have just finished 3rd grade. I really like going to school and I would like to be able to continue studying to learn a lot! God willing, I would like to be able to get my teaching creditial when I'm older. I live in the community of Panabaj, but then the big mudslide happened and now I'm living in a Shelter in the town nearby of Santiago Atitlán.
Hi! My name is Brenda. I'm 14 years old and I have just graduated from 6th grade. I really would like to continue studying to learn more. What I would most like to do when I'm older is be able to study medicine. God willing, I'll be able to become a doctor. I lived in Panabaj, but after the big mudslide we can't live there any more. Because of this, I'm now living in Santiago. Before the disaster, I always helped my mom with the house chores. For example, I helped her wash the dishes, sweep, mop and cook the food and wash our clothes.
Hi! My name is Maria Chichum Reanda. I am 15 years old and I've just finished 6th grade. I would like to be able to conintue studying to learn many more things in my life. I live in Panabaj, although now we aren't able to live in our house there.
Hi! My name is Julissa Milena Gómez Rodas. I live in the municipatity in Santiago Atitlán in the department of Sololá. I have always wanted to meet other friends in the United States so that we become good friends. I used to go to school in the community school of Panabaj, but it was damaged in the mudslide. I would like to continue studying because I really miss our school. Something else I enjoy doing is working in mostacilla (beading) and preparing the snack at school during recess.