My Story

Nueva Esperanza, which means New Hope, is located in a slum area of Guatemala City, Guatemala. An extremely poor area, our program is squeezed in among the shanty dwellings built over an old city dump. Many houses in this area are without toilets or running water and are assembled with scrap wood, sheet metal, and cardboard. Zone 5, where Nueva Esperanza is located, is considered one of the most dangerous areas of Guatemala City. It is controlled by gangs and drug pushers. Robberies and murders are common in this area. Public education is available - however, many cannot afford it. Life in Zone 5 is very difficult.

Hello! I feel so happy to be able to write this letter to tell you about my life. I am Evelyn Gricelda Perez Cos. I was born on February 3, 2017. I am now 8 years old. I am a 2^nd grade student. In my free time, I enjoy playing lottery, playing with my dolls and painting. I like the color pink and I love to eat pizza. I am in good health. About my family: My father is Benji Ezequiel Perez Hernandez, and he earns a living selling different things such as toys, key rings and stickers in the street. My mother is Sara Paola Cos Zapeta, and she stays at home doing her chores and she also takes care of me. We do not attend any church.

The house where I live belongs to a relative. It is made of block and thin sheets, tin sheet roof and concrete floor. It has two rooms and we share the kitchen with my grandmother. We have running water but no electricity, but a neighbor shares it with us. My grandmother and aunt also live with us; they help my parents to pay the services. We have one cat and one dog. Our main need at the moment is school fees. I walk about 10 minutes from home to the feeding program. I say goodbye for now hoping to hear from you soon.

Yours very truly,

Evelyn Gricelda Perez Cos

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary