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. This is Herman Alexander Alvarado Chan, and I was born on March 2, 2016. I am 9 years old now. I attend school and I am in 3^rd grade this year. I enjoy playing soccer, riding bicycles and painting. I love the color blue and my favorite animal is the lion. I like to eat strained beans.

My father is German Alberto Alvarado Ordoñez. He earns a living working as a messenger. My mother is Janira Leticia Chan Santizo, and she works as a moto-taxi driver. I have a little brother; he is Ian Yuren and he attends the feeding program too. Thanks to God, we are in good health. My family attends a Christian church called MINISTERIOS ADULAM. 

We live in my paternal grandmother´s house. There are four rooms made of block, tin sheet roof and concrete floor. We use two rooms and a separate kitchen. We have running water and electricity. We share the house with my paternal grandparents. My parents pay our services. Our greatest need is clothing. We have a cat, a dog and two parakeets. I walk about 10 minutes from home to the feeding program. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope you like it.

Many blessings,

Herman Alexander Alvarado Chan

Translated by: Lucia Gravez