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. Some children live 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 full name is Emely Valentina Sofia Lopez Portillo and it is a blessing to share my information with you through this letter. I was born on April 27, 2019. I am 7 years old and I am in first grade. Some of my interests are painting and pretending to cook with plastic food. Fortunately, I am in good health. My favorite color is purple. I like rabbits, and what I love eating the most is spaghetti with tomato sauce. Now, let me tell you a little about my family. I only have one sister, but no brothers. My mother’s name is Jenifer Stefania Portillo. She is a single parent and works hard selling candies on the nearby streets where we live to provide food and other needs for our family. Most of our needs are groceries, shoes, and school supplies. So please, pray for us.

I do not have my father with me because he separated from my mother. His name is Yoni Alexander Lopez Cortez and he works by selling vegetables at the market. My family and I live in a rented room, and my father is the one who pays for it. He pays Q1300=$170.49 monthly. This payment includes the running water and electricity expenses. Besides the rent payment, he occasionally helps us a little financially. There are other tenants at the house, which is made of concrete block with concrete roof and concrete floor. I am so happy because I can attend the feeding program. It is about a 10-minute walk from where I live. To end this letter, I want you to know that my family and I attend a Christian Church called Nazareno Vivibien. Until next time!

Cordially yours,

Emely Valentina Sofia Lopez Portillo

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary/ Guatemala