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! How are you doing? This is Eibryl Yasmin Garcia Ordonez, and I fondly greet you. Before introducing myself, I want you to know that a teacher of the LW evangelism team helped my mom and me to write this letter to you. I was born on November 20, 2017. I am 6 years old and fortunately, I am in good health. I like cats and my favorite food is cereal with milk. I am in pre-kinder and everything goes well at school. After classes, I enjoy drawing and painting in my free time. My favorite color is pink. I have only one brother. I am the oldest child in my family. My father is Edwin Enrique Garcia Carias. He is a farmer and works hard to cover all the expenses and basic needs. Some of our greatest needs are groceries. My mom is Evelyn Yasmin Ordonez Cachupe. Like many housewives, she keeps busy doing the housework and taking care of my brother and me. As for our spiritual life, I tell you that we do not attend any church.

We live at the house of my parents’ friend. My parents pay him for the electricity and running water bills, but not for rent because he wants us to take care of his property. The house’s walls and roofs are made of wooden beams and tin sheets while the floors are concrete. The house has two rooms but not a separate kitchen. So, one room serves as a kitchen and the other as a bedroom. Fortunately, we have enough space at home for our pets. We have three dogs and three cats. Fortunately, I am already part of the feeding program. I live about fifteen minutes from the project. I sometimes get there on my bike or my parents take me on a motorcycle. I will leave you now, but I hope to hear your story soon. Have a great day!

Best wishes,

Eibryl Yasmin Garcia Ordonez

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala