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.

Hello! My name is Mya Jireh Camey Valle. I was born on May 8, 2013, in Guatemala City. I am 12 years old and I am a healthy girl. I am attending 6^th grade this year. I like to workout, play the drums and color. I also like to practice karate in the sports complex. It is near our home and I go with my siblings. I love the color red, and my favorite animal is the dog. I love eating chicken and traditional beef broth. I have one brother and one sister. My parents are doing well; my brother suffers from asthma and needs medication. As for me, I use glasses and I have to do a checkup yearly. I am very happy to be registered in the feeding program; I get there by walking in 15 minutes; I attend alongside my siblings.

My father´s name is Arnoldo de Jesus Camey Parada. He works as a delivery man and provides for our home needs. My mother´s name is Merlin Gabriela Valle Lopez. She recently started to work as an assistant vendor in a warehouse; they sell various products. My parents support each other to take our family ahead and provide for our needs. Our pets are three dogs. We attend the Church of Christ “Adulam”. We rent the house in which we live, and the monthly payment is Q1800.00 = $240.00. There are three rooms with a separated kitchen. It is a concrete block house with a tin sheet roof and a cement floor. There is running water and electricity; my parents pay for those services every month. As a family, our greatest need is a bed since my siblings and I share the same bed. Thank you for reading my information. May God bless you wherever you are!

Lots of love,

Mya Jireh Camey Valle

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala