Maritza
Out Of War
Biography
Maritza is a 17 year old girl who has been through too much in her life. Her story starts when she was 11 years old. She lives in Caicedo, Medellin in Colombia. Her neighborhood is a slum. It is overrun by gangs, therefore there are a lot of gang fights and massacres. There is also large illegal drug trade businesses, mostly selling cocaine and marijuana. The neighborhood is run down, filthy, and stricken by poverty. Her family never cared for her. Her mother and stepfather beat her when she does even the tiniest thing wrong. Later in her life, she joined a gang called “The Mexicans” and started doing drugs. She met a boy named Beto and he got her to join the Children’s Peace Movement. After an attempt to get “The Mexicans” and a rival gang to make peace failed, she got back into drugs. She still uses violence to solve some of her problems, but wants to create peaceful gangs without all of the violence. Maritza perfectly demonstrates that no matter how much you strive for peace, it is always easy to fall back into the dangerous pattern of drugs and violence.
Geography
Environment
Slums Up The Mountains
In this photo, you can clearly see how the slum stretches far up the mountains.
Dilapidated Houses
Here you can observe how the houses aren't built strongly or at a safe distance apart. You could take a step and be at the next house over.
House Towers
You can see how the buildings in Medellin literally sit on top of each other as they climb up the mountains.
Events That Caused Her to Fight for Change
Endless Abuse
Maritza's parents abused her whenever they got mad at her. She couldn't fight back and didn't want to.
Whips From Wires
Her mother whipped her with electrical wires and other objects that hurt her.
Suicide Attempt
She tried to kill herself by drinking bleach to get away from all the abuse and violence.