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.  

Hello! I feel so happy to be part of the feeding program and have the opportunity to write this letter telling a little about me. My name is Aylin Aitana Fernanda Gonzalez Ocute, and I was born on July 10, 2018. I am now 7 years old. I am a first-grade student. The things that I like the most in my free time are playing dolls, painting and playing house. My favorite color is pink and I love dolphins. I am a healthy girl however; my health is affected when the weather changes. I love when my mother cooks grilled meat. Let me tell you about my family: I live with my mother. She is Geisy Zuleima Ocute Aguilar, and she earns a living by selling mini cakes. My parents are separated. My father is Jorge Mario Fernando Gonzalez Son, and even though he does not live with us, he supports our family working in a store. I do not have any siblings. My family does not attend any church.

My mother and I live in my maternal grandfather´s house. It is a little house made of block, tin sheet roof and concrete floor. There are two rooms but we only use one of them, and we have a separate kitchen, running water and electricity. We share the house and our expenses with my grandfather, aunts and uncles. Our greatest needs are clothing and groceries. My mom thanks God for my life. Thanks to God, all my family is well. I live about 15 minutes from the feeding program. I say goodbye and hope to hear from you soon.

Many blessings,

Aylin Aitana Fernanda Gonzalez Ocute

Translated by: Lucia Gravez