Let's talk about it

Many children in Guatemala have a tough time.

This isn't just because they are poor and often hungry. There was fighting between different groups of people in Guatemala for a long time, and lots of children have relatives who have been killed. This makes them sad, nervous and shy, and many find it hard to make friends.

Andrea is 11. Her mum's first husband was murdered, and lots of other people where she lives were killed during the fighting. For a long time she was very shy and frightened.
'We hear lots of scary stories, and they make me feel frightened,' says her friend, Aníbal, 11.

Today, Andrea and Aníbal are much happier. They go to special classes where they have a great time, playing games and learning to make friends.

They learn to talk about themselves and understand how they feel, too. One way they do this is by describing pictures they have drawn of things that scare them and things that make them feel happy. Andrea has made lots of friends and doesn't feel shy any more. 'It's lovely going there' she says. You learn lots of things. I definitely want to go back next year!'

Click on the links below for more stories

Super squirrels
Walk before you wash
Tasty snails
Making a splash

Christian Aid/M Goldwater/Network

Andrea standing outside a monument to people who have been killed

Christian Aid/M Goldwater/Network

Aníbal, with a picture he has drawn