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 am Anthony Addriel Orozco Aguilar, and I feel so happy to greet you in this opportunity. I was born on February 27, 2020. I am now 5 years old. I did not attend school yet due to my age. I spend time playing as a policeman, painting and playing with toy cars. I like blue, my favorite animal is the dog and I have one at home. I love to eat pizza. Thanks to God, I am healthy. I would like to tell you a little about my family. My parents decided to separate some years ago, so I live only with my father. He is Antoni Orozco Patzan, and he earns a living working picking up balls on a local sport field. My mother is Shairi Edelmira Aguilar, and she does not live with me. However, she spends time with my sister and me on weekends. She works as a cashier in a hotel and helps us financially when she can. Meanwhile, when my father goes out to work, we stay under the care of my grandmother who lives with us. I also have a brother named Michael, but he lives with my mother because we are from a different father. My family does not attend any church.

We live in a rented house made of block walls, concrete roof and concrete floor. There are four rooms but we only use one of them because other relatives also live there. We do not have a separate kitchen, so we cook in the same room. There are running water and electricity. My father and our relatives pay for rent including all services Q. 1300 quetzals ($ 174.00) monthly. Our greatest need for now is a pair of shoes for school. I walk about 20 minutes from my house to the feeding program. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter I hope you like it.

Blessings,

Anthony Addriel Orozco Aguilar

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary