The so often called “Marías,” the indigenous women carrying their children on their backs selling candies on the streets form Ciudad Juárez, are part of the Mazahuas ethnic group.

The Mazahuas migrated from Estado de México to north part of the country to look for better job opportunities. However, poverty has become their way of living. Their earnings come from selling semillitas [pumpkin seeds] and candies on the streets, working at the maquilas [twin plants] and from selling their art work.

According to the members of the Mazahua community, the Mexican government does not provide any financial support, instead, they have to pay mandatory fees and permits to sell their products.

 Most of the children from the community are considered lucky if they graduate from elementary school since their parents can not afford higher education tuition nor books.

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“Las lavamos con mucha agua, luego les ponemos sal, las dejamos secar al sol, las tostamos y las vendemos en las calles”.

• María de los Angeles Martínez- 

Martínez came from México state to Juárez 30 years ago to look for better opportunities. She traveled more than 24 hours by train to arrive in Juárez. She has nine children, and her source comes from selling semillitas [pumpkin seeds] on the streets.

“Soy madre soltera y el gobierno no me ayuda. Yo sola mantengo a mi hijo”.

- Beatríz Hernández,  22 yrs. -

Hernandez works in a maquila [twin plant] to support her son.