My Story

Dueñas, 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 Dueñas is quiet and sometimes difficult.

Hello! I am Olvin Natanahel Funes Perez. My birthdate is March 7, 2015, which makes me 8 years of age now. I attend 1^st grade this year. I love the color blue, and my favorite animal is the cat. The food I like is the hamburger from McDonalds. I spend my free time playing soccer and watching TV. I live with my mother, stepfather, one sister and one brother; thankfully, we all are fine. When I was 2 years old, I had surgery. Fortunately, everything went well, and I have had no problems so far.

My biological father is Walter Ernesto Funes Carrillo. However, he got separated from my mother when I was young. He works as a bricklayer and is giving me financial support, Q600.00 = $80.00 per month. My mother´s name is Jennifer Magali Perez Gutierrez. She works on San Sebastian Farm by fertilizing plants, and she earns about Q1800.00 = $240.00 per month. I have a stepfather; he is Mr. Jaime Noe Maroquin Caciano. He makes a living by harvesting avocados on a farm in our village, and he earns Q2,400.00 = $320.00 per month. We are Catholics. We live in a rented house; the monthly payment is Q700.00 = $94.00 and my parents pay for it. We have one block room with a tin sheet roof, and a cement floor. The kitchen is separated, and it is made of the same materials. There is running water and electricity services, and my parents pay for them. As a family, our most basic needs are food, clothing, footwear, and the house rent. My siblings and I walk about 20 minutes to get to the feeding program. My aunt Wendy Marisol Ojer Perez provided my personal information to the Living Water staff for registration. Sending much love. May God bless you in everything you do!

Lots of love,

Olvin Natanahel Funes Perez

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala