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. It is an extremely dangerous area where criminals, prostitutes and drug addicts live.  

Hello! I feel so happy to be able to write this letter to tell you about my life. My name is Mario Rene Alexander Ramirez Perez. I was born on April 22, 2013. I am now 12 years old. I am a sixth-grade student. I spend my free time playing soccer, drawing and painting. I am a healthy boy. My favorite color is green and I love dogs. I enjoy eating smoked chicken. I have lived with my paternal uncle Nery Ramirez and my maternal grandmother Noemy Perez since I was young because my parents did not take responsibility for me. I call my uncle Nery, father. We do not know anything about my real father because he abandoned me. My mother visits me one in a while but she does not help to cover my expenses. Thanks to God, my uncle is responsible for paying for my studies, food and everything I need. He earns a living painting houses while I stay under the care of my grandmother. I have one sister who lives with us and my brother lives with my mother because he is young. At the moment, our greatest needs are school supplies, shoes, clothing and groceries. We attend a Christian church called “The power of the word.

We do not have our own house. We live in a rented house made of block walls, concrete roof and floor; my uncle pays Q. 900.00 quetzals ($ 120.00) per month for it. There are two rooms, and one of them we use as a kitchen. We have running water and electricity. It takes me about 10 minutes walking from my house to the feeding program. I say goodbye for now hoping to hear from you soon.

With much love, 

Mario Rene Alexander Ramirez Perez

Translated by: Lucia Gravez