My Story

JT2496

Jocotenango, where your child lives, is in the state of Sacatepéquez, Guatemala and is a suburb of Antigua. It is an urban environment and is inhabited by both Quiché Indians and Ladinos (those with mixed European ancestry). Most of the children attend school, but financial hardship affects many families and forces most of the children to leave after the sixth grade. Only two out of ten children finishes high school. Children in this area face temptations from gangs and drugs.

Hello, my name is Bacner Esteban Sanchez Catavi. I was born on October 3, 2013 and I am five years old. I attend the Jocotenango feeding program. My mother’s name is Ana Cecilia Catavi Paredes and she works as a vendor selling chicken in Antigua. My father’s name is Joseph Esteban Sanchez Macario. Unfortunately, my parents are in the process of getting a divorce, so my father does not live with us. He does come to visit me 1 or 2 times each week.  He also gives us Q200.00 each week to help with the household expenses. My mother and I actually live with my aunt and her family in a rented house. The rent is Q1500.00 including electricity and water. We have rooms with a separate kitchen and bathroom. My uncle works for the city cleaning in the market in Antigua. My aunt and uncle help with all the household expenses. My aunt, uncle, 4 cousins, my mom and I all live in the house together. My aunt the one who takes care of me while my mother works. Our house is made of cement block with a tin roof and a cement floor. We live two blocks from the feeding program. I am an only child. I am in kindergarten this year. My favorite thing to do is to play ball. My favorite color is yellow, and my favorite animal is the dog. The food that I like to eat the most is noodles with mayonnaise. My family attends a catholic church in Jocotenango. 

With much love and many blessings,

Bacner Esteban Sanchez Catavi

Translated by Edwina Lyons/Living Water Missionary