My Story

I am so happy to say hello to you through this. I am Jairo Estuardo Mendez Alvarez, and I am nine years old. This year I am in second grade, and I am receiving face-to-face classes at school every day. Thank God, it has all turned out well for me in my studies so far. I really missed delicious food from the feeding program, the time it was closed due to the pandemic. I am happy because it is open again. I get there in twenty minutes by walking. My father works as a day laborer to earn a living. He is also paid to carry firewood and sells corn. This way he provides for my family economically. My mom is a housewife. Occasionally she helps my sister selling avocadoes and herbs in the local market. We can spend time together at dinnertime only.

On Christmas we made tamales and fruit punch. We had a nice time altogether. For now, we are attending a group that belongs to Catholic Church. We get there by walking for fifteen minutes. My mom and I are deaconesses in the church. We got sad the time the church was closed due to the pandemic, because we liked to attend it. Thank God the services are already normal. We rent five-room house with separate kitchen. The house’s walls are made of mud-brick, the roof of clay roof tiles and tin sheets, and the floor of concrete. It has running water and electricity. The house is in good condition. The pandemic affected my family. There was lack of work. As we are in need of food supplies, I thank to the feeding program for the grocery bags we received in difficult time. It was all a blessing for my family and me. Everything has been improving little by little now thank God. At the moment, my family and I are all doing well, thank God. To finish, I want you to know, my sister gave this information to an Evangelism team member to share with you my last news. I say good bye to you for now. Take care!

Lots of hugs,

Jairo Estuardo Mendez Alvarez

Translated by: Febe Ruiz / AAC Secretary-Antigua