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.

Good morning! I am so excited to greet you in this opportunity. My name is Yordin Benjamin Morales Chan, and I am a 5-year-old boy. I was born on January 4, 2021. I live with my parents, three brothers and a sister. My father´s name is Luis Eduardo Morales and he makes a living as a gardener. Lourdes Patricia Chan Salazar is my mother, and she works as a janitor. My father, siblings and I are in good health. But my mother has been suffering from her appendix for some years. She is receiving medical care at IGSS (Guatemalan Social Security Institute). She has to do labs and she hopes to be operated on soon. Please include her in your prayers so that she can receive the appropriate medical care.

Let me share with you a few things about myself. I am in Pre-kindergarten this year. When I am at home, I enjoy playing football, riding a bicycle and coloring. I have two favorite colors, yellow and green. I love eating black beans, sausages and pizza. About my health, let me tell you that I suffer from an allergy because of the dramatic weather changes. It is uncomfortable, and my parents have to buy medicines so I can find relief. My family and I are attending a Christian Church called “Arbol de Justicia” (Tree of Justice). We are living in a rented house and the monthly payment is Q500.00, $67.00. My paternal uncles also live there. There are three rooms, and we use one of them as a living room, dining room and kitchen. It is a block house with a tin sheet roof and a cement floor. There are running water and electricity services. My parents and uncles contribute to pay for those services. We are a humble and needy family, and our greatest needs are a bed, groceries, school shoes and school support. We always trust in God and are sure that He will supply our needs. I am so thankful to God to be enrolled at the feeding program; I arrive there in 15 minutes by walking. Thank you for reading my information, I would like to receive news from you very soon. May our Lord bless you!

With much love,

Yordin Benjamin Morales Chan

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala