Superheroes, At Home And Abroad: My Trip To Guatemala
February 2014
When I received an invitation to go to Guatemala City with IJM, feelings of elation and inadequacy came over me all at the same time. Elation because I considered it a privilege to have been invited, but also feelings of inadequacy as I was not sure how I could add value by going on this trip. Nevertheless, I packed my bags.
A Day of Joy
After arriving in Guatemala City, our first outing was to take part in a “Day of Joy” with some of IJM’s clients and their families. Days of Joy are times when IJM’s Guatemalan clients, most of whom are children who have suffered sexual abuse, are given a chance to experience joy in the midst of recovery.
We were encouraged to find a family and visit with them before we took them on a tour of the zoo in Guatemala City. I was introduced to an 11-year-old who had recently given birth to a baby that her aunt was holding, along with her two brothers.
I just recently read a new book, called The Locust Effect, written by IJM President Gary Haugen. Gary tells a similar story of meeting a young mother on one of his trips to Guatemala City, and that page quickly went from black and white to colorful reality as I held the newborn with his 11-year-old mother sitting next to me.
I don’t speak a lot of Spanish, so I sought other ways to connect with the children in Guatemala. I turned to an app on my iPad called Photo Booth. The children seemed to love seeing their faces on camera, and Photo Booth took it to another level by allowing them to see themselves in x-ray vision or some other distorted way. Before I knew it, the little ones were laughing and pointing and laughing some more, to the extent that the IJM Aftercare director came over to see what the fun was all about.
The Reality
That day, I was overtaken with feelings of great pain and joy at the same time. Pain, because I knew the circumstances that led to the birth of the precious baby I had held, while his 11-year-old mother sat next to me with her aunt. Joy, because as I watched the children playing, they were laughing and, in that moment, they were happy.
As we continued our trip, the reality of the violence that is the everyday reality of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable smacked me in the face. The statistics are staggering, and the sheer amount of abuse that takes place in Guatemala alone is enough to discourage the strongest of believers in change, but it did not discourage the IJM staff there. Of over 36,000 cases of child sexual abuse reported between 2008 and 2012, over 95% of those cases are still waiting for justice—and the average wait time is six years.
Superheroes
One day, we heard the sound of laughter coming from several of IJM’s clients who were at the office for a pinning ceremony. Each of these clients had gone through the brave process of testifying against their perpetrator. They were presented with a pin that said, Soy Un Heroe (I’m a Hero). I had the privilege of giving one of the pins to a client and encouraging her for her courage. The children then colored pictures of super heroes! (See the image included.)
At the end of the day, I made sure to grab a pin, as I had a plan to present it to someone that was going to be a different kind of hero to these kids.
I was filled with determination to tell my representatives in Congress what I had seen and to ask for their support on a piece of legislation that would provide Guatemala with a team of investigators to specifically handle cases of sex crimes, a desperate need that was so apparent to us by the end of our trip. Hero pin in hand, I made my way back to the United States.
Another Kind of Hero
I have been a part of the IJM Advocacy team for about three years now, and it has been rewarding to be able to advocate for legislation on behalf of those who experience injustice. I scheduled a call-in day as soon as possible, and sent emails and Facebook messages urging my fellow Virginians to take a minute and join me in asking our Members of Congress for their support on this issue.
As I emailed Senator Kaine’s office, I felt urgency and determination like I never have before. Something was different about this request, as I had a face and a name in mind. I thought of the baby that I had held in my arms at the zoo, and of his brave young mother. This was for their future.
I later received an email, THE email from IJM’s staff, telling me that Senator Kaine had signed the letter to Secretary Kerry, urging the State Department to provide funding for the special unit in Guatemala City.
Tears of joy came to my eyes. I immediately emailed the IJM Guatemala office to share the good news, and messages came back that they were celebrating with me. I am awaiting my meeting with the Senator to present him with his hero pin.
I used my voice, and my voice was heard. Your voice matters in this fight against injustice, and my hope is that you will use it.
