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! It is a pleasure to send you many greetings and hugs with much love hoping you are doing well and are receiving the Lord´s blessings. This is Brianna Gisele Lopez Vasquez, and I was born on May 21, 2014. I am now 11 years old. I attend school in the 5^th grade. In my free time, I enjoy dancing, cooking, listening to music and writing. Thanks to God, I am healthy. I like the color purple and my favorite animal is the dog. The food that I like the most is “Salpicon” (Guatemalan dish mainly made of chopped meat with tomato, onion, peppermint, salt and lemon). About my family: I would like to tell you that my parents separated about four years ago. My mother is Heidy Margarita Vasquez Pineda, and she struggles to support our family by working as an accountant in the Ministry of health. My father is Cristopher Oswaldo Lopez Garcia but he does not live with us, However, he keeps in touch with me and helps me with my expenses. He works as a helper in a construction business. I do not have siblings. My family attends the catholic church “Maria Auxiliadora”.

We live in my aunt´s house which is made of block, tin sheet roof and concrete floor with running water and electricity. There are four rooms but we only use two rooms and a separate kitchen because we share the house with other relatives. My mother pays the home services. We have two dogs at home. Our greatest need is a bed for me because I share it with my mother.  I walk about 15 minutes from home to the feeding program. I hope you are well when you receive my letter and that you like it.

Yours very truly,

Brianna Gisele Lopez Vasquez

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary