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. It is an extremely dangerous area where criminals, prostitutes and drug addicts live.  

I am glad to say you Hello! My name is Silvia Paola Morales Mendoza, and I was born on November 9, 2016. I am 8 years old now. I am a second-grade student. My favorite color is lilac. In my spare time, I enjoy playing dolls, memory game and painting. I am a healthy child. I love cats and a delicious dish for me is black beans with rice. About my family, my father is Juan Francisco Morales but he does not live with us because he has another family. However, he continues supporting our family with a monthly support. He earns a living working as a messenger. My mother is Anna Lorena Mendoza Garcia, and she works as a waitress at different celebrations. I have one sister and her name is Amanda.  My family does not attend any church. My sister and I stay under the care of my grandmother while my mother goes to work. 

I live with my family in a rented house which we share with other renters. There are six rooms but we only use one of them and we cook in the same room. There is running water and electricity. It is made of block walls, concrete roof and floor. My mother and grandmother pay Q. 900.00 quetzals ($120.00) per month for it and all the services. Our main needs are groceries and a bunk bed. It takes me about 10 minutes walking from my house to the feeding program. I say goodbye for now hoping to hear from you soon.

God bless you,

Silvia Paola Morales Mendoza

Translated by: Lucia Gravez