John,

Growing up with a hearing impairment in a small, poor, rural community in Guatemala, Marielos didn’t have the opportunity to learn sign language. She got by using broken signs, which made it difficult to communicate clearly with her mother, brothers and other members of the community.

When Marielos’ neighbor broke into her home, and snuck into her room to hurt her, she was unable to physically cry out for help. The abuser hurt her because he thought he could get away with it — people like him so often did. This wouldn’t be the last time someone from her community would abuse her.

The men who hurt her knew that the justice system in Guatemala often lost sight of girls like Marielos.

As she walked the narrow dirt paths of her neighborhood, she often saw these men. They would gaze at her as she passed by, and though no words were exchanged their threats were loud and clear: Stay silent, or we’ll make you pay.

Marielos’ mother only learned her little girl was being abused when they visited the doctor and found out Marielos was 15 weeks pregnant. “I went cold,” her mother said. “I couldn’t wrap my head around it because, for me, she’s my little girl.”

At that moment, Marielos and her mom decided they would not be threatened. They reported the men to authorities.

Generous support from people like you helped make sure that Marielos’ story would not only be heard but acted on. Marielos received crucial support during the hardest part of her trial. When she shared her testimony, IJM in collaboration with local authorities made sure she was not alone.

The men who abused her were sentenced to prison, and IJM provided Marielos with an opportunity to take sign language classes, empowering her to better communicate and continue speaking up for herself.

John, it’s the support of people like you that helped create a safer life for Marielos and her son.

With a gift today, you can help more girls like Marielos find justice by ensuring their stories are heard.