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! How are you? I am happy to write you this letter and I hope you like it. This is, Elena Alejandrina Serrano Sandoval. I was born on December 23, 2016. I am now 8 years old. I am a 2^nd grade student. In my free time, I enjoy playing dolls and other toys and painting. I am in good health and so is my family. I like the color pink and my favorite animal is the cat. The foods that I like the most are rice, beans and spaghetti. My father is David Andres Serrano Axpuac. He earns a living by working as a carpenter in a factory. My mother, Alejandrina Emeli Beatriz Sandoval Rosales, works decorating piñatas. There are three of us children and all of us are enrolled in the feeding program. My family attends a Christian church called “Refugio de la Oveja”.

We live in my grandmother´s house, and we share it with other relatives. There are seven rooms but we only use one and my mother shares kitchen with my grandmother. It is made of block, tin sheet roof and concrete floor. We do not have running water or electricity, but a neighbor sells it to us. We share the bills with our relatives. We have two roosters at home. Our greatest needs are shoes for school. My siblings and I are under the care of my grandmother and aunt while my parents go to work. I walk about 10 minutes from home to the feeding program. I say goodbye for now hoping to hear from you soon.

Blessings,

Elena Alejandrina Serrano Sandoval

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary