My Story

Dueñas, where your child lives, is a small farming village located at the foot of one of Guatemala's active volcanoes, Fuego (Fire). The fertile ground around the village allows for the cultivation of roses and coffee, two of Guatemala's largest exports. Most of the families in this area live in one or two room wooden or adobe houses with tin roofs. Electricity is available to those who can afford it. Running water is available - however, most homes do not have indoor plumbing. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider education of value. Life in Dueñas is quiet and sometimes difficult.

Hello! My name is Keyla Dayana Azucena Tepaz Simon. I was born on July 18, 2016, and I am 7 years old. I am in kindergarten this year. I love cats, and the color I love is purple. My favorite food is noodles. Playing with toy dishes and dolls is my favorite hobby. I live with my parents and one brother; by the grace of God, we are fine. My father´s name is Kevin Ricardo Tepaz Jerez. He strives to supply our needs; he is a construction assistant. My mother is Monica Maribel Simon Ventura. She tries to help with the income, and she goes to work by fertilizing coffee plants, picking macadamia seeds, and doing other jobs in San Sebastian farm. While my parents are working, one aunt takes care of my brother and me. We have dogs as pets. We attend Rock of Power Christian Church.

The house in which we live belongs to San Sebastian Farm and they have loaned it to us. There are four rooms, but we use only one and the kitchen is separate. Both walls and roof are made of tin sheets, and a dirt floor. We do not have electricity or running water; we get water from a public faucet from the farm. One of our neighbors shares electricity with us, and my parents pay Q75.00 or Q100.00 = $10.00 or $14.00 per month according to the bill. My grandma and uncles live there too, and they also contribute to pay for the electricity. We are a needy family, and for now, our top needs are food, a bed and the electricity payment. I walk about an hour to get to the feeding program. This time the Living Water staff collected this information personally for the record, and my aunt Ana Simon Ventura provided it. So long. May God bless you wherever you go!

Special hugs,

Keyla Dayana Azucena Tepaz Simon

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala