Solidarity in Times of Trouble

SOLIDARITY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

(COMMUNITIES OF NUEVA SANTA CATARINA IXTAHUACÁN AND NAHUALÁ)

Saturday September 4, 2010, tragedy struck Pan American Hwy at kilometer 171;  located just two kilometers from the municipality of Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, Sololá.  At about 1:00pm, from a height of one kilometer, a landslide swept down the mountain.  Awaiting below were 15 cars full of unsuspecting passengers. A radio station made an announced concerning those caught in the wake of the landslide and soon afterwards, altruistic inhabitants from nearby villages saute to liberate the engulfed.   After toiling for many hours and had nearly completed clearing the road, another landslide around enveloped them all.  Approximately two hundred people were buried, and when found, were in a great deal of pain but scarcely had any serious injuries.  Most are experiencing broken bones, wounds and muscle pain.  While some were taken to hospitals in Sololá, Totonicapán and the Nahualá Health Center, many proceeded to the health center of Ixtahuacán.  Without doubt, the most sobering aspect is the loss of 25 valiant lives belonging to Nuevo Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán and Nahualá.  Willing placing their lives in danger, they participated in the ultimate act of solidarity.  Twelve members of Ixtahuacán gave their lives (6-Capital Municipal, 1-Chuicutama, 2-Pacutama, 2-Chajuab and 1-Pacoral I). The municipality of Nahualá lost 13 townsmen. (5-Chiquix and 5-Paraxquim). 

DEATHS OF THE MUNICIPAL NUEVA SANTA CATARINA IXTAHUACÁN

Our Women’s Circle Coordinator, Catarina Tuy, is from one of the affected communities, Municipal Capital.  Of her six fellow community members that were killed, two were a father and a son.  Both men are leaving behind wives and children. Four children of the father (2 daughters and 2 sons) and two very young children of the son (1 girl and 1 boy) will now grow up without the companionship of their fathers.  Adding insult to injury, this family is currently living in extreme poverty.  Another impoverished family lost a son (with 2 children) and a son-in-law as well. The son-in-law will not see the childhood of his baby boy and the birth of his second child.  He became the head of the family after a similar situation robbed them of his father four years ago.  Needless to say, this has been exceedingly difficult for all members of this family.  A third family lost a child, which is arguably the worst possible experience for a parent.  He was 15 years old and was undoubtedly dedicated to the service of others, even serving as an acolyte in his church. His family describes his excellence and abilities of overcoming misfortune.  As a child, he had walking difficulties, but through parental dedication, Walfrid, at age 6, gained this ability.  In addition to the inauspicious erosion of families, an older gentleman was also killed.  He was well known in the town and reported to always being in solidarity and with his neighbors.

Nicolás López Guarchaj, from the community of Chuicutama, was a member of COCODE.  He was a beloved leader of the area who served in a variety of ways for the public.  He is survived by his parents, Antonio López and Catherine Tzaput Guarchaj y Guarchaj.

There were two men from the community of Pacutama who died, Domingo Tzaput Guarchaj and Miguel Vicente Guachiac Chivalán.  Domingo was married to Dona Manuela Guachiac Guachiac. They have two sons and one daughter, all of whom are very young. Doña Manuela is participating in a Women's Circle and is being trained as a health promoter.  Domingo was an important leader within the Catholic Church due to his role as “Extraordinary Minister of Communion”.  Miguel Chivalán was 17 years old. His mother is unfortunately deceased, leaving his father, Don Juan Guachiac y Guachiac, with six children.

In the community of Chajuab, David Dionisio Ajú Och and Manuel Esquipulas were the victims of chance.  David, the brother of Diego Ajú Och was married with one young child.  Manuel Esquipulas was married to Antonia Rajpop; they had six children. Manuel was the Chajuab president of COCODE and his parents are Manuel Ajú and Isabela Yaxon.  

INJURIES OF THE MUNICIPAL NUEVA SANTA CATARINA IXTAHUACÁN 

Antonio Guarchaj y Guarchaj is the Chuicutama president of COCODE and the husband of Dona Manuela Morales Guachiac.  Antonio Guarchaj was in serious condition Thursday morning and unable to visit the hospital for a lack of financial resources.  However, in the afternoon he had been attended to by “Vivamos Mejor” program, a healthcare organization.  Don Antonio went to the hospital Wednesday and has responded very well.  He lacks any serious impairment but does have a sharp stomach pain most likely due to his harsh excavation. 

Miguel and Manuel Guachiac from Pacutama received blows to their heads and are in a lot of pain.  Diego Tzaput Carrillo, also from Pacutama, has contusions and large amounts of pain. They unfortunately did not received medical assistance until Wednesday when “Vivamos Mejor” arrived.

In the community of Xeabaj I, no one was injured while giving aid. However, a couple was buried when returning from Xela. Luckily, Manuel Sohom Guachiac and Pascuala Guachiac y Guachiac were retrieved alive and only experiencing somewhat mild injuries; a fractured ankle a fractured shoulder respectively.

Most of these families support themselves by growing beans, corn and other crops.  We have reports that after the torrential rains that some areas have no viable crops. “From Thursday to Tuesday we have been unable to work.  Beans and corn are our main source of income, but now all the beans and most of the corn has been destroyed.”  The survivors who are in good health have came to request medical assistance for the injured, as many can not afford to visit a hospital or purchase the proper medicines for pains, infections, etc.  Their compassion not only for neighbors but for strangers caught on the highway is a portrayal of civilized sophistication.  The connections they feel with others is something we should all strive to achieve.  Guadeloupe Blevins, co-founder of AMA and HSP shares that, “not only is AMA an organization of action, we are a group that will support the spiritual and emotional needs of these communities.  These collectives are remarkable; they have a rare humanistic elegance which exemplifies beauty.  LOVE IS REAL and this IS our moment to help!”

Data and picture were submitted by Catarina de Jesus Tuy

Translated and written by Cater Davis