“…I can remember that there was a bell at the little school in the village, and whenever that bell rang we had to run and gather at the school patio. No one knew who wanted us, was it the government soldiers or was it the guerrillas? There were stories going around that San Lucas was the next village to be burned to the ground… Every time I heard a helicopter or a plane my stomach felt like I was going to have diarrhea. It’s only been in the last five years that I don’t react to the sound of helicopters that way.”

Sheny Rodriguez was born in Guatemala on Christmas day in 1975, 15 years after the country had erupted into a civil war that lasted for 36 years.  She is the eldest of 10 children, and her childhood was defined by the effects of war and poverty.

In 1980, Sheny’s younger sister died after contracting chicken pox at the age of two and a half.  Less than a year later, her six-month-old brother died of complications from a bronchial infection.  In 1983, Sheny’s father was shot when a stray bullet came through the wall of their home. He was struck arising from a prayer, and he died a few days later.

“I was standing at the top of the little hill where the house was built when I saw my uncle walking towards us. There was such sadness all around him. My mom, who was five months pregnant with my little sister, Rosita, was standing just behind me. When she saw my uncle she started to scream, and I knew then that my father was dead."

In 1989, Sheny was given the opportunity to immigrate to Canada. At the time, she was a 13-year-old fifth grade student who had never used a telephone, never seen a world map and had no idea where Canada was. Nonetheless, she saw an opportunity that few Maya children ever have.

“Only a lucky few residents of San Lucas receive formal education higher than Grade 6.  Even if parents can afford the high costs for each child, they can continue only to Grade 9. The government supports a local primary school, but older students have to travel a great distance to continue their education.  That daily journey is extremely unsafe, especially for young women.  Many adults are illiterate and cannot sign their own name on legal documents, and it is not uncommon to find adults learning alongside the children."

Two decades later, Sheny's financial support has meant that six of her siblings still lving in San Lucas have been able to stay in school and pursue their own dreams. She has witnessed the positive effects firsthand.

“I have an amazing family.  My brothers are the most respectful, caring and kind men I have ever met. Melvin has a college diploma in business administration and has enrolled in a nursing program. Yony will be graduating as a mechanic next month.  My sisters are extremely confident and independent which is very unusual in the culture. Rosita has a college diploma in business administration and works for the ministry of health.  Donelcy will be graduating from nursing school next year.  Greisy is 15 and aspires to be a lawyer, and Yacceni wants to start her own business someday.  If I hadn’t had the opportunity to come to Canada and send money back there is no way that they could have gone to school.”