La Morena is a small farming community that is part of the City of Chiquimulilla and the Parish of Santa Cruz, our sister parish in Guatemala. Though our Partnership is with the entire parish, La Morena is where our Partnership is centered and is continuing with a particular project, Amistad y Fe.
La Morena grew out of laborer housing on a plantation originally owned by a German family. During a period in which wages could not be paid, land was given to the laborers. Organized on a hill, there are three primary areas of the Aldea which can roughly be described as a higher area of residences, a central "public" area, and a lower residential area.
The public spaces in the Aldea consist of a central public plaza space focused on a fountain (that no longer works). This plaza is an arrival space for the town. The aldea's main "street" descends from the main road from Chiquimulilla and terminates here. On the space are the Chapel, school buildings, the place where villagers do their laundry, a bodega and some homes. Immediately from the space is a street that leads to a basketball court that forms an active recreation space. The street terminates at a medical clinic, that, at one point, had been an active community center.
Moving up and to the west, is a cemetery. This remains a public space and has a central path that forms a gateway to a large open space that serves as a soccer field. A ridge on the long edge of the field opposite the cemetery forms the edge of the higher residential area.
The higher residential area is formed around dirt "streets" that continue to climb toward the entrance and water source of the aldea. Streets are narrow, rough and hilly. Homes front the street with a post with an electrical meter. Oftentimes a small front yard of about 10' wide was fronted with plantings or flowers. Each lot is about 25' square.
The community is proud of their home. About 1,100 people live here, and we are pleased that they are our friends and partners!
Morena Data
Location: City of Chiquimulilla, Department of Santa Rosa, Guatemala
Population: about 1,100
Primary Crop: Coffee (also corn and beans)
Primary Harvest: Nov - Dec.
Founding: Approx. 1930
Dist. from City: Approx. 17 KM
Water Source: El Panal River, 800 M Distance
