My Story

I greet you with much love, hoping you are doing well together with your loved ones. I am Juan Carlos De Leon Benito, and I want to update my 2023 information. My parents are in good health. My father’s name is Alberto, and he is 42 years old. He works as a farmer and day laborer, and he goes to cut sugar cane at the coast during the harvest. My mother’s name is Rebeca, and she is 43 years old. She works hard at home and looks after our domestic animals. We all go to work in the coffee plantations at the coast from November to March. We are a humble family, and our needs are groceries and corn. We grow corn for our consumption, but it is not enough for the whole year. We have hens at home, and we sell them when we are in need of money. We are still members of the Catholic Church, and we attend the mass on Monday and Friday. We are assured of our Salvation.

I find myself in good health, and I like practicing football. I am 10 years old, and I want to work hard when I am older in order to help my family financially. I have to improve my Spanish since I speak Quiche dialect the most. I am in 3^rd grade, and I learn more now that I am attending school in person. Thankfully, school supplies in my town are not so expensive, and my parents can cover them. I enjoy a delicious lunch with my family when it is my birthday. I love Christmas celebrations because I light fireworks and eat “tamales”. My favorite drink is “Incaparina” (hot drink made from corn and soy). Living Water is very important for me because I am blessed with food, Christmas presents and medicine through the feeding program. I say goodbye to you for now hoping to have news from you soon.

All the best

Juan Carlos De Leon Benito

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio/A-A-C Secretary, Antigua Guatemala