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. 

It is a pleasure to greet you in Jesus’ name. I am so happy to be part of the feeding program and to be able to write a little about myself. This is Amy Sofia Lopez Albizures. I was born on January 29, 2016. I am 9 years old. I attend school and I am in 3^rd grade. The things that I enjoy the most in my free time are playing soccer, dolls, memory and jumping rope. I live with my mother and two sisters. One of them is my half-sister; she is my mom's daughter with another man, but he never legally recognized her or took responsibility for her.  She also attends the feeding program. My father is Ever Ottoniel Lopez Diego. He does not live with us because he has another family and only helps me with my expenses once in a while. Thanks to God my family are in good health.

We do not have our own house. We rent one room and a separate kitchen made of block, tin sheet roof and concrete floor. There is running water and electricity. My mother pays for rent monthly Q. 700.00 quetzals ($ 94.00). We have fish at home. Our greatest needs are a stove, shoes, groceries and school supplies. I walk about 30 minutes from home to the feeding program. I would like to ask for your prayers for my mother for God to provide everything we need because she is the only one who supports our family. I say goodbye to you and I pray God pours out many blessings upon you.

With much love,

Amy Sofia Lopez Albizures

Translated by: Lucia Gravez