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. 

It is a pleasure to greet you today. I hope you are well and enjoying many blessings from the Lord. I am Jaquelyn Alejandra Reyes Orozco. I am 13 years old. I turn 14 this year on December 8^th. I thank God that I am in good health, along with my family. I want to tell you a little bit about them. My biological father’s name is José Luis Reyes Pirir. However, he does not live with us and does not support us. My mother’s name is Victoria Del Rosario Orozco Garcia. She works as an office cleaning lady. She is the primary provider for me and my sisters. She has a new husband now. He lives with us and helps pay for water and lights, but he does not provide for me and my sisters. His name is Carlos Hernandez, and he is a food distributor. He has been with my mom and helping her for six years, but since we are not his daughters, he chooses not to support us. So, my mom works very hard so she can afford to cover our needs and expenses like school, clothes, food, and whatever else comes up. I have two sisters. My older sister and I are the only ones that go to the feeding program. Her name is Joselyn Liliana Reyes Orozco. She is 14 years old. We all live together in a house that belongs to one of our relatives. Fortunately, we don’t have to pay rent. There are three rooms. The walls are made of cinder block, the roof is tin, and the floor is concrete. As a family, our biggest need would be groceries. I love being able to go to the feeding program each week with my sister. We have to walk to get there, and it takes us about fifteen minutes. I want to tell you a little more about myself now.  I am in seventh grade now. When I have free time, I love to draw, color, and sew. My favorite thing to eat is chicken in cream. It is a typical Guatemalan dish. My favorite color is red, and I love cats. We don’t have any pets, but I would love to have a cat. That’s all from me for now. I want to thank you for taking the time to read about me and get to know me a little bit. I also thank God for your heart to love and serve the people in Guatemala. I hope you will keep me in mind. I send you much love and big hugs.

Many blessings,

Jaquelyn Alejandra Reyes Orozco

Translated by: Olivia Gallardo, Missionary Intern / Antigua