Maryuri

Maryuri is eleven years old. She lives in the La Ermita community with her grandparents and some of her cousins. She doesn’t know anything about her father, but her mother works in a small restaurant in another rural community and sends her clothing and food. Her grandfather works as a farmer, raising corn, beans, and sorghum. He is a member of the farming cooperative in La Ermita. Her grandmother takes care of the housework and children. They live in a red brick house with dirt floors that has two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen.

Maryuri is in third grade and attends school from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day. She studies math, Spanish, social studies, science, and civics. Math is Maryuri’s favorite subject. She doesn’t like social studies because it is difficult for her. The school does not have a janitor so the students are responsible for keeping it clean by sweeping and mopping the floors and cleaning the bathroom, blackboards, and classrooms.

After school, Maryuri helps her grandmother with the housework. Although they have potable water, the supply is not constant. They use a hose to get water for the house. Maryuri also makes the beds, washes the dishes, and sweeps. There is no electricity in the community but they are able to watch television by using a car battery.

Maryuri says that her grandfather’s crops are often infected with various diseases. She says they use a chemical called graminol (also called paraquat) to control weeds. She helps her grandfather with sowing and watering his crops, but her favorite job is harvesting the beans.

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