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 glad to write this letter telling you a little about my life. My name is Nilda Mailyn Nelida Choc Cuz. I was born on November 5, 2012. I am now 12 years old. I am a fourth-grade student. The things that I like the most to do are: painting, drawing and helping my mother at home. My favorite color is purple and I like dogs. I love to eat spaghetti. My father, Hugo Choc Coy, does his best working as a security guard. My mother, Elsa Patricia Cuz Xi, stays at home taking care of my siblings and me. I have one brother and two sisters. My family attends a Christian church called Huerto de Jehova.

We live in a rented house made of block, tin sheet roof and concrete floor with running water and electricity; my father pays Q 800.00 quetzals ($ 106.00) monthly. It has four rooms but we only use one because there are more people living in the same house and together, they pay for the services. Our greatest needs are groceries. We would like to ask for your prayers for God to provide my father the resources to pay the rent. I walk about 10 minutes from home to the feeding program. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

Blessings,

Nilda Mailyn Nelida Choc Cuz

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary