By Rekha Sharma-Crawford, Esq.1 2 T e sun felt hot as Amaaya pulled on her black shirt and tights. She felt lost as she quietly


watched her grandmother’s casket lowered into the ground. Where would she go? What would she do? At the tender age of 10, Amaaya suddenly felt a wave of fear and loneliness sweep over her. Amaaya had never known her mother or father, having been left as a child; Abuelita was the only family she had. Now, she was all alone.


Cesar lived next door. He was almost 17 and was leaving for the United States in the morning. When he off ered Amaaya to come with him, she agreed without really understanding what that meant. But she had no reason to stay in Guatemala. It was not safe.


E


        


  to be returned to their home country3





   4


 6


5 


                      


 


 3


 


 


16 the barletter July/August 2023


   





 





 1     





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