Use this presentation of Efraín’s story to introduce children to the Big Share. Efraín Story

Efrain is 16 years old. He lives in Guatemala. Efraín is 16. Like most Guatemalan boys his age, he loves football. He is also very popular and is the head boy at his school.

Three years ago, Efraín’s family fled his violent father Three years ago, Efraín’s family fled his violent father. They had no way of supporting themselves and there were days when they had to eat rotten avocados to stay alive. Three years ago, Efraín’s family fled his violent father in the middle of the night and went to live with a relative. They had no way of supporting themselves and there were days when they had to eat rotten avocados to stay alive. With little food, no money coming into the family and no home to call his own, Efraín dropped out of school to earn money for his family.

Efraín went to the capital, Guatemala City, cleaning shoes to earn money.

He sent half his wages back to his mum and kept half to support himself and save to go to school. After a year, he had enough to send himself to school. But Efraín desperately wanted to go back to school to continue his education.

This is Efraín at his school. School enrolment rate in rural areas is just 35 per cent. Efraín’s story is seen in households throughout Guatemala. Many young people have to leave school to earn money to support their family. Being able to learn always takes a back seat if going to work means your family can have food.

The school is like heaven; I get to eat good food and I can learn how to grow it. The school Efraín chose is supported by CAFOD. He learns how to grow vegetables, look after animals and sell crops. Whatever the young people grow at the school, they eat.

So every day, Efraín sits down to a breakfast, lunch and dinner that is not only nutritious, but that he’s grown himself.

[God] is always there for us, every moment. Efraín’s message for CAFOD supporters is: “First of all, thank you all. For your support for the parish, the schools and the workshops because through these, we are making something of our lives. We can do good. That is what God wants – that people give each other a hand.”

Things to think about… How do you think Efraín felt when he had to leave school and work? How do you think he feels now? What can we learn from Efraín?