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. This child lives on top of an old rubbish dump in Zone 5 of Guatemala City. It is an extremely dangerous area where criminals, prostitutes and drug addicts live. 

Hello, my name is Dylan Andre Juarez Aguilar. I am so excited to share this information with you. I live in Guatemala in the capital city. I am 7 years old, and I will turn eight this year in November. I was born on November 12, 2017. I have loved going to the feeding program and being a part of Living Water Adopt-A-Child. It is a blessing for me and my family to receive a meal each week and receive medical assistance when we need it. My favorite thing to eat is adobo meat. I also love noodles. I have one sister who goes to the feeding program with me as well. Her name is Mercedes Nayariht. We walk together to go to the program each week. It takes about twenty minutes to walk there from where we live. We live with my mom in a small house with my grandma, my aunt, and my cousin. It is my grandmother’s house, but she lets us live there because we did not have anywhere to go. My mom and sister and I share one room. We do have a separate kitchen we can use. The walls are made of cinderblock, the floor is concrete, and the roof is made of tin sheets. We also have access to running water and lights in our house.

Our biggest needs are groceries and school supplies. It is very difficult for my mom sometimes, because she is the only one who provides for us. Her name is Belica Marielba Aguilar. She is a housemaid. My dad’s name is Manuel Alberto Juárez Mendez. He abandoned us when we were very young, and he does not support us or help us at all. We do not know anything about him, and we do not have contact with him. That is why it is very difficult sometimes for us to cover all the expenses. My mom works while we stay home and take care of my grandmother, and my mom helps with some of the house expenses with what she earns. My grandmother’s name is Veronica Aguilar. I want to tell you a little more about myself now. I am in first grade now. I like going to school, and I love when we get to color. My favorite color is orange, because it is so bright and happy. I also love playing soccer outside with my friends and with my sister. I hope you enjoyed reading my information today. I say goodbye now, but I pray God will bless you and guide you wherever you go. I send a big hug!

With much love, 

Dylan Andre Juarez Aguilar

Translated by: Olivia Gallardo, Missionary Intern