My Story

Jocotenango, where your child lives, is in the state of Sacatepéquez, Guatemala and is a suburb of Antigua. It is an urban environment and is inhabited by both Quiché Indians and Ladinos (those with mixed European ancestry). Most of the children attend school, but financial hardship affects many families and forces most of the children to leave after the sixth grade. Only one out of ten children finish high school. Children in this area face temptations from gangs and drugs.

Hello! My name is Mildred Estefany Valeria Garcia Bala. I was born on July 22nd of 2015 in Antigua Guatemala town. I am now 9 years old. This year I attend 2^nd grade. My hobby is to play football. My favorite color is pink. I love cats. “Pepian” (a typical dish) is the food I love the most. Thank God, my family and I are in good health. My mother is Estefany Yesenia Bala Otzoy. She stays busy with the housework and takes care of my siblings and me. I have two brothers. My father is Gerber Estuardo Garcia Montufar. He works on his motorcycle and carries people from one place to another; he does not earn very much. I have two brothers. We have a dog and a cat.

The house in which we live is rented and my parents pay Q400.00 = $54 monthly. The house belongs to one of my father’s cousins. There three rooms, and we use two as a bedroom and the other room as a kitchen. The house is made of concrete blocks, tin sheet roof and a cement floor. There are running water and electricity services; my father pays his cousin for those services. I thank God for the opportunity to be registered in the feeding program; it is a great help for me and my parents. I walk 20 minutes to arrive to the program. We do not attend church for now. However, I want you to include my family in your prayers for having daily provision at home. I hope you enjoy my letter. Many and abundant blessings on your life!

Lots of love,

Mildred Estefany Valeria Garcia Bala

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