Santa Anita

Santa Anita was one of the most interesting and welcoming communities we have visited, in my opinion. The community is largely made up of ex-guerrillas of the URNG who decided, after the war, to create an autonomous community. Santa Anita survives economically by selling organic coffee and bananas on land that they work themselves. The community bought the land, although they are still trying to pay off the loan, and has built schools and a health center. All of the buildings are painted with colorful murals that they use to teach the youth the history of Guatemala, the URNG, and the importance of the land.

We walked through the coffee and banana plantation to a lovely waterfall and enjoyed relaxing and cooling off. It was so nice to see the beautiful environment and to recognize how important the land is to this community.

In the evening we had the opportunity to speak with a community member named Marconi. Marconi is an ex-guerrilla who fought in the mountains for four years. He spent another eleven years helping to organize during the 36 year war. I asked him about his experience in the mountains, to which he replied that it was very, very difficult. He said it rained constantly and they were always soaked, tired, and hungry. The most difficult part, to him, was to see a compañero fall at his side. But, he said they knew it was war and they were mentally prepared because they were fighting for something they believe so strongly in.

Throughout our talk with Marconi, what moved me most was Marconi´s demeanor. For him to have fought so hard and suffered so much and still be sitting here and speaking to us with such a a gentle and kind spirit is just amazing. He still holds hope that one day he will own his land and be free of the debt and that his children will not have to struggle like he did.