My Story

Duenas, where your child lives, is a small farming village located at the foot of one of Guatemala's active volcanoes, Fuego (Fire). The fertile ground around the village allows for the cultivation of roses and coffee, two of Guatemala's largest exports. Most of the families in this area live in one or two room wooden or adobe houses with tin roofs. Electricity is available to those who can afford it. Running water is available - however, most homes do not have indoor plumbing. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider education of value. Life in Duenas is quiet and sometimes difficult.

First, thank you so much for taking the time to read my information. My name is Fatima Fabiola Jerez Jerez and this is my story. Before doing it, I want you to know that my mom helped me to give all this information to an AAC secretary. I was born on December 24, 2012. I am a healthy girl. My favorite color is black, and I love rabbits. My favorite meals are Chow Mein, chicken in onion sauce, and sopa caldosa (chicken soup with rice and vegetables). I do not attend school yet. Some years ago, my parents enrolled me to attend school as a first grader, but I did not feel comfortable and because of that, I did not want to continue. Now, I use my free time to help my mother with the household chores and watch over my youngest sister. I have three sisters. The one who supports our family is my father. His name is Pedro Julio Jerez. He works as a farmer in San Sebastian farm. My mother’s name is Brenda Esperanza Jerez Ordonez. She is a hardworking housewife who helps with her income at home. She makes tortillas three times a week, washes clothes, and gathers firewood to sell.

We attend a Christian Church. We started to do it about two months ago. We do not have our own house. However, the owners of San Sebastian Farm have loaned us a small piece of land to live there for free. The house has two rooms and a separate kitchen. The walls and roof are made of tin sheets with concrete floors. One of our neighbors provides us with essential services. My father pays him Q100=$12.76 for running water and Q125=$15.95 for electricity, per month. Some of our needs are clothes, food, and shoes. My mother and I usually walk for about 10 minutes from where we live to get to the feeding program. I say goodbye to you for now, but I hope to hear from you someday.

Kisses and hugs,

Fatima Fabiola Jerez Jerez

Translated by: Hillary Popol /AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala