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.

May the grace of the Lord be with you! My full name is Deily Jimena Cabrera Morales, and I am excited to share my story with you through this letter. I was born on October 30, 2013. Fortunately, I am a healthy 10-year-old girl. My favorite animals are cats and I love having beef steak for lunch. I attend school as a fourth-grade student. My favorite color is pink and I enjoy playing soccer with my friends. I live with my young sister, Sherlyn, my father, and my grandparents. We are a humble family. Some of our needs are clothes and shoes. My father is Jorge Luis Cabrera Rucal. He works in the construction area by helping masons. While he works, my grandmother takes care of us. Her name is Maria Estela Rucal Otzin. Today, she is a housewife. Mr. Tereso Jacobo Pelen got married to my grandmother a few years ago. He works as a security guard and helps us with the household expenses.

Now, I want to open my heart and tell you that my mother abandoned our family about five years ago. It has been a sorrowful situation for my sister and me, so please pray for us. My mother is not in touch with us or helps us economically because she has another family. Her name is Katherine Yaneth Morales Lara. As for spiritual life, let me tell you that my family and I are members of a Christian Church called Chosen for the Holy Spirit. The house where we live belongs to San Sebastian Farm. It is a fifteen-minute walk from the feeding program. The house’s walls and roofs are made of wooden beams and tin sheets, while the floors are concrete. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. My father and grandfather pay the bill for services monthly. The farm owners allowed us to live on their property for free because my grandmother worked there as a farmer. However, she was no longer able to continue because of her health condition. Unfortunately, she lacks of cartilage in her two knees which causes her so much pain when she walks. At the moment, she is waiting for her next appointment at the Social Works of Saint Brother Peter to know when she can undergo surgery. Therefore, I beg you to pray for her. I say goodbye to you now, but I want you to know that my grandmother helped me compose this letter. See you later!

Kisses and hugs,

Deily Jimena Cabrera Morales

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala