Martita, vendor - San Pedro
Martita: Student & vendor in Lago Atitlan
Martita has a great spirit in her. Born with heart defects and physical deformities, her small body belies her 21 years of age, but not her voice when she describes to you her passion and goal in life to be a teacher.
Mostly Martita spends her mornings sitting at a humble little stall in the lanes near San Pedro Spanish School to help her mother sell small crocheted or woven souvenirs, and in the afternoons goes to school.
Every morning as I went to Spanish school (either to study at first and later to teach English and work with other community groups there) I'd pass by Martita getting herself and stall set-up, or would buy a small avocado or two which she always had in a plastic bowl. She never seemed too busy and always loved to have a hug and general chit-chat.
When one day she first told me of her dream, I was so impressed I felt to offer her at least some of what I could and so we began English classes, with an exercise book I had copied for her. Martita is quite impressive in her pronunciation of what she can say in English, and memorising phrases and situations, but when it comes to reading, whilst she can read of course, it seemed to block her flow, which gave me good feedback as to the style she would benefit from more.
Since leaving San Pedro this last time, I have been able to keep in touch with her, via SKYPE and Facebook Messenger and feel good that she knows she can ask me any question or support and I will do my best to give it, wherever I can.
