In Memory of Luis: a Life-Saving Love, a Heart-Wrenching Goodbye.

Help me give my children the education and support they need to heal.

 

In a single moment, life can rewrite every plan, every dream. Luis and I shared a love that began in high school—he was my first and only love. Together we built a life, a family and three beautiful children (Julián, 13, Mariana, 12, and Esteban, 8). We dreamed of a home of our own, which we lovingly decorated and improved over the years. We dreamed big and worked hard to make it all happen, through the ups and downs that life brought our way.

On March 22, 2024, we went on a family trip to Lake Atitlán with friends. It was a beautiful, peaceful escape—until it wasn’t. Mariana and another child went out for a kayak ride, and as we watched from the dock, a sudden wind whipped up. The lake’s currents grew treacherous, pulling the girls out. Fear seized us all. Luis and a friend jumped in to save them. The wind didn’t relent, and while everyone else made it back, Luis was caught by the current. He drowned within moments, trying to save the girls in an act of love. All in front of our eyes, complete helplessness. He left us with a life-saving love, but also with a heart-breaking, breath-taking goodbye. Our family is devastated…

 

Our children have been our pride and joy. We committed to their education and future, enrolling them in private schools because public education in Guatemala is often deficient and sometimes dangerous. Sports have been a part of their upbringing too; they’ve found confidence and discipline in it.

 

Luis was the rock—hardworking, devoted, and endlessly loving. We both worked to support our family. Together, we dreamed of creating something of our own, and that dream took shape in a small snack business, “Chucherito,” run from colorful folkloric Tuk-Tuks. Though it was a startup and money was tight, we put our hearts into it. But dreams often come with challenges, and our road was rough. When Luis lost his job last year, we decided he’d focus on Chucherito full-time, putting everything into building what we hoped would be our family’s future.

 

Of course we had challenges, but we had each other. Life, though, had other plans. What we struggled to hold together before has only become harder now.

 

Friends and family have stepped in to help—our kids’ school waived some tuition, and the coaches offered full scholarships to keep them in their sports programs. I sold my car, and am close to giving up our home, which Luis and I worked so hard to make ours. I’ve taken on Chucherito to keep his dream alive, though it’s barely breaking even, and theft by a few employees left us even further behind. The insurance money we receive is dwindling, and while friends and family have helped us get this far, we need more help than they can give. We’re holding on month by month, but it’s not enough.

 

I’m asking for your help. On behalf of my children I (Paola) am creating a fund that will cover up to 60% of their tuition in order to keep them in school, to make sure they can someday go to university, and to get the therapy we all need to heal.

 

Please, help us. Any amount is meaningful. Everything helps. I’d be grateful if you also keep us in your prayers and share this with others. Thank you for your outpouring love and generosity.

 

You can learn more about Chucherito on Instagram at IG: Chucheritogt