My Story

Nueva Esperanza, which means New Hope, is located in a slum area of Guatemala City, Guatemala. An extremely poor area, our program is squeezed in among the shanty dwellings built over an old city dump. Many houses in this area are without toilets or running water and are assembled with scrap wood, sheet metal, and cardboard. Zone 5, where Nueva Esperanza is located, is considered one of the most dangerous areas of Guatemala City. It is controlled by gangs and drug pushers. Robberies and murders are common in this area. Public education is available - however, many cannot afford it. Life in Zone 5 is very difficult.

Hello! I feel so happy to be part of the feeding program and be able to write this letter. I am Angel Abrahan Nehemias Gutierrez Soto. I was born on July 22, 2015. I am now 9 years old. I am a third-grade student. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer and riding a skateboard. My favorite color is blue and I love dogs. A delicious dish for me is a beef patty. I am in good health and so is my family. About my family: My father is Angel Augusto Gutierrez Morales. He supports our family by working as a messenger. My mother is Mayra Adelaida Soto Ramos, and she earns a living selling granizadas (snow cones). We do not attend any church.

We live in our own house made of block, tin sheet roof and concrete floor with a separate kitchen. We have running water and electricity. There are three rooms but we use only two of them. My parents pay the services. We have two dogs at home. I walk about five minutes from home to the feeding program. We ask for your prayers for God's protection because it is very dangerous where we live. I say goodbye for now and I hope to hear from you soon.

Many blessings,

Angel Abrahan Nehemias Gutierrez Soto

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary