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 Andy Josimar Alvarez and I was born on December 11, 2016. I am 9 years old and I am in good health. I like to play soccer and to draw. I love the color red and to eat rice and beans. I am in 3^rd grade this year. I have one brother and one sister. My mother`s name is Karla Iracema Alvarez and she is a single mother. I also have her last name because my biological father never wanted to legally recognize me. In addition, he passed away two years ago. My mother is the only one that sustains the family. She works as a waitress in a little restaurant to provide for our needs. We are needy people and our current needs are groceries, clothing, shoes and beds. Sometimes, we do not have food because the money she earns is not enough to cover every expense, but my mother struggles every day for us.

We live in a rented house. We have only one room made of block, concrete roof and cemented floor. We do not have a separated kitchen, so my mother cooks in the same room. We have running water and electricity. She pays for the services monthly. I walk for a half hour to the Feeding program. Well, this was my personal information and I hope you like to read it. I send you many blessings!

Strong hugs,

Andy Josimar Alvarez

Translated by: Gladys de Cataví/A-A-C Secretary-Antigua