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 hope you are keeping well along with your family. I send you warm greetings. This is Oscar Josue Garcia Mancilla. I was born on March 7, 2013. I am now 12 years old. I am a second-grade student. I was diagnosed as autistic when I was five years old. I have speech problems, and for this reason, I attend a special school. I spend my free time painting, drawing, doing homework and making paper balls. I love when my mother cook eggs and beans. I like the color yellow and my favorite animals are cats and dogs. About my family: my father was Oscar Garcia Luna but he passed away at the end of 2024. My mother is Roberta Mancilla Sanchez. She struggles to support us working as a domestic employee. Thanks to God, we are fine. My family attends a church called “Refugio de la Oveja” (Sheep's Refuge). 

We live in our own house which is made of block, tin sheet roof and concrete floor, and it has running water and electricity. My mother pays the services. There are four rooms but we use only one and we share the kitchen with our relatives. I have one dog at home. Our greatest needs are groceries, shoes and clothing. The feeding program is 20 minutes walking from my home. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope you like it. 

God bless you!

Oscar Josue Garcia Mancilla

Translated by: Lucia Gravez