My Story

Duenas, 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! This is Heythan Alexander Matias Alquijay, and I am writing this letter thanks to my grandmother’s help; her name is Victoria Diana Aracely Alquijay Garcia. Thank God, I am in good health, and I am 5 years old; I was born on December 11, 2020. I am attending school, and I am in pre-kindergarten. In my free time, I like playing soccer. I like the color red, and I love cats. We have two dogs and one cat as pets. My favorite food is the hamburger. At the moment, my family and I are not attending a church; please keep us in your prayers. I live near the feeding program, so I just walk for a couple of minutes to arrive there.

My mother’s name is Roselia Aracely Matias Alquijay, and she is also part of WIN project at the feeding program. She is studying and also working as a babysitter to cover my needs. My grandmother takes care of me while my mother is away. I have one brother. We live in my grandfather’s house which is made of tin sheets and wood with a tin sheet roof and dirt floor. The house has two rooms and one kitchen, and it has running water and electricity; my mother help to pay these bills. We are a humble family and our frequent needs are groceries. Well, this is all for now. May God bless you!

Kisses and hugs

Heythan Alexander Matias Alquijay

AAC Note: Unfortunately, Heythan’s mother did not want to give information about the father to LW Evangelism team. It is only known that the father did not legally recognize the boy.

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary/Antigua Guatemala