Anastacia is 34, married and has four children. She and her family live in Panajachel. Her husband works in construction and fishes Lake Atitlan to supplement the family income.
She is in her fourth semester studying every Saturday for a Social Work bachelor degree at Mariano Galvez University in Solola. She needs another year to complete.
Anastacia is the only indigenous Maya woman in the social work course at her university. She speaks three Maya dialects (Quiche, Tzutujil and Katciquel.) She also speaks Spanish and a little English. It is important to indigenous people that social workers are able to speak the Maya languages. She is particularly interested in the laws and rights of Maya people, and very concerned about the violence, crime and poverty affecting indigenous people in the remote villages.
Life has not been easy for Anastacia’s childhood. The economy has not been kind to her family. She is determined to improve conditions for her children and for her community.
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