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Nayeli's Story

Nayeli and her husband are migrants, who recently moved to Guatemala City from Nicaragua in search of work to be able to send money home to their parents. The situation in Nicaragua was far worse, they said. After barely a year of being in the city, Nayeli became pregnant, which she thought impossible from a past visit to a village doctor. Due to the pandemic, Nayeli and her husband were both unemployed as new parents and she decided to reach out for help on Facebook.

She inquired about where to procure free or low-cost formula for her child and an acquaintance offered to put her in contact with a friend who could help. Her pregnancy had been difficult and had left her body weak. This woman on Facebook asked her to meet at her place, but since Nayeli was new to the city her husband accompanied her. When they arrived, the ‘helpful woman’ was shocked to see the whole family and began procrastinating and making excuses as to where and when the appointment would take place. Finally, Josue told Nayeli he had to leave as he was taking day-labor work to cover their living expenses throughout the pandemic and they were two months behind on rent. Nayeli begged him to let her stay, her baby was in her arms because they could not afford a carriage, but she said their need was great, and the woman offered to give her a ride home when the doctor finally arrived.

 

Josue left and four hours later after walking and waiting and getting lost, Nayeli was given a ‘pain pill’ to alleviate the headache from carrying her child throughout the city in the hot sun all day. This pill made her pass out and when she awoke, her child was gone and so was the person she came with. Nayeli was lost and began screaming her child’s name until she was picked up by law enforcement. By the time she arrived at the station, Josue was there waiting for her and they were taken to give statements, provide their DNA, and activate the Alba-Kenneth alert (similar to Amber Alert).