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.

It is a beautiful day to greet you and share a little bit about myself through Living Water! I am Wilian Josue Chum Guaran. I was born on May 22, 2021, and I am 5 years old now. I have three brothers and two sisters. My father´s name is Luis Amilcar Chum Ventura. He does farm work to support our family. My mother´s name is Lesbia Liliana Guaran Pamal. She usually does the household work and takes care of my siblings and me. We are a Catholic family, and we attend the church which is in the local plaza. I am thankful to God for my health and my loved ones’ too.

Let me tell you that I am not attending school yet because of my young age. I love coloring, and my favorite color is orange. The animal I like the most is the turtle. I love eating rice. We live in my grandma´s house and we use one room of the five and a kitchen. The house is made of concrete blocks with a metal sheet roof and a ceramic floor. There is running water and electricity; my parents and grandma contribute to pay for those services. We have three dogs. Let me tell you I am feeling so blessed to be part of the feeding program and receive meals and medical care in the clinics; it means so much for me and of course for my family. I live nearby and I walk only 5 minutes to get there. That is all for now and I would like to hear from you soon. Many abundant blessings over you!

A bunch of hugs,

Wilian Josue Chum Guaran

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, A-A-C Secretary-Antigua