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 Duenas is quiet and sometimes difficult. 

Hello and many blessings to you and your loved ones! I hope you are well as you read this letter. It is such a pleasure for me to be able to share some information, and it makes me so excited to think that someone may be thinking of me from across the world. First, I want to tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Maria De Los Angeles Díaz Farfán. My birthday is July 24, 2015. I just turned ten years old this July. I am studying in the 3rd grade. I love going to school, and after school I work hard on my homework assignments. My favorite color is purple, and my favorite animal is the dolphin. I have never seen one in real life before, but that would be so cool if I could see one someday. I thank God that I am in good health along with my family. My parents and sisters are doing well. I want to tell you a little bit about them now. My father’s name is Marvin Estuardo Díaz Hernández. He is a construction worker in my town. He works hard and supports our family financially with what he earns. My mom’s name is María Marisol Farfán López. She works very hard as well, but as a housewife. She stays home and takes care of the chores and housework. She also takes care of me and my sisters. I have two younger sisters who are eight and five years old. Their names are Evelyn Mariela and Kimberly Daniela. We live in a small house that my dad owns. We also live with my grandmother and my aunts and uncles. Our house is made of sheet metal walls and a tin roof, and we have a concrete floor. It has two rooms, but we share one with my parents and sisters. We are very grateful to have running water and lights in our house as well. One of our biggest household needs would be a wardrobe and a new bed. In our house we have a lot of pets. We have three pet dogs and three cats. They need a lot of attention and care to keep them healthy and happy. We live about ten minutes away from the feeding program. We always walk there with my sisters, who have also started going to the program. We have loved it so far, and it has already been such a blessing to us. We love the food they serve. My favorite food to eat is a typical Guatemalan dish called Estofado. It is like a beef stew with vegetables and pot roast. It is so delicious. As a family we go to church at Parroquia Catholic Church. I can’t express how excited I am to officially be a part of the feeding program of Living Water Adopt-A-Child. It is such a wonderful opportunity for me and my family. I thank you for taking the time to read my information and I pray that God will bless you and touch your heart to help the people of Guatemala like me. I send you many big hugs and so much love. Blessings! 

With much love,  

Maria De Los Angeles Díaz 

 Translated by: Olivia Gallardo, Missionary Intern / Antigua