Jessica's Family
Maria (66), Rosario (40), Yessiana (17), Johnny (15) and Jessica (13)
Rosario's family live in Mesquital, a district which staddles the border between the two largest gangs, the Mara 18 and the Salvatruce. The area is highly violent, run by the gangs using protectionism and extortion, with regular shootings and territorial disputes.
Rosario's husband bought the land here in 1994, and built the one-room house where the family now lives with Rosario's mother Maria. He hasn't been heard from since 1997 - like many Guatemalan men, he left his family for another woman. Despite severe arthritis, Rosario supports her family by making soft-toys for sale in the US. She has been doing this for twelve years, earning roughly Q900 (£70) a month.
Johnny, Yessiana and Jessica are the first generation of the family to go to secondary school, which makes their mother very proud. Yessiana is training to be a teacher, Johnny wants to be a computer programmer, and Jessica wants to be a photographer. "It's very hard to provide for everyone" says Rosario, "I have many dreams, like having a business of my own… but when my children have their careers I will be satisfied."