A letter from Roger and Gloria Marriott in Guatemala
November 2, 2009
Dear Friends in Mission,
César Cucúl Rax. At 21, César is considered young for a Kekchi high-school graduate.
I returned to Cobán on October 28, just in time to receive a call and invitation to attend the high school graduation ceremony of César Cucúl Rax on October 30 in Chiséc.
César’s father, a Presbyterian pastor, was murdered two years ago in the performance of his guard duties at a local school. Kekchi indigenous pastors earn only an occasional chicken or bag of corn—rarely any money—so they must find other employment. Most pastors also work a small plot of land with hoe and machete to provide for their families.
César, the eldest of five children, would have quit school had it not been for the support of some from the United States who see education as central to overcoming the blight of poverty and inequality suffered by so many in the Two-Thirds world. César now has a diploma that will make him a candidate for teaching positions for preschoolers. He graduated tenth in his class of 37 teachers of preschoolers, only eight of whom were women. His sister, Bianca, who is 18, got married three years ago and her formal education stopped at that time. Odds are she will not finish. This is the cultural practice, and it is only very slowly changing—if at all.
César, at 21, graduated early for an indigenous man. A group of his friends attended the celebration. They were the same age but were still students, having just finished the sixth grade. César’s graduation will be a motivation for them to continue, although theirs will be an uphill struggle.
César and his family celebration his graduation with Cak Ik, the Kekchi national dish.
The day began with a mass at 8:00 a.m. in the Catholic Church. That was followed by a Protestant service in the Nazarene Church, which was led by a Presbyterian minister. He received three hours off from his job as an ambulance driver to deliver the sermon. He did not have enough time to be present at the celebratory dinner of Cak Ik, the Kekchi national dish that strongly resembles a thick chicken soup. It is served only on rare and special occasions, and this was one of those.
Later in the afternoon, another ceremony took place and every graduate was given a symbolic diploma by the principal of the school. A formal dance occurred that evening, but César did not attend since he is an evangelical, and dancing is forbidden to him. He did not seem to mind.
Roger Marriott with César and his family during the celebration of César's high-school graduation.
César’s graduation represents more than merely the graduation of one person. Graduation rates for indigenous people are very low. In the age group 15-31, the average level of education is three and a half years, so César, as well as the other indigenous graduates, can be encouragers for parents and students alike.
Guatemala has profound problems, and the statistics for social indicators for indigenous people are daunting. This, though, is the story of one young man who fought the odds and who, with perseverance not frequently seen, and some help, may assist in leading others to a brighter day. He will have to provide for his family, so his plans for college may be a long way off., but if he has the desire I am sure he will find a way to make that next impossible dream come true.
Roger Marriott
The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 277
