My Story

Duenas, where your child lives, is a small farming village located at the foot of one of Guatemala's active volcanoes, Fuego (Fire). The fertile ground around the village allows for the cultivation of roses and coffee, two of Guatemala's largest exports. Most of the families in this area live in one or two room wooden or adobe houses with tin roofs. Electricity is available to those who can afford it. Running water is available - however, most homes do not have indoor plumbing. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider education of value. Life in Duenas is quiet and sometimes difficult.

It is a great joy in my heart to share with you about me through Living Water! This is Karla Sofia Ortiz Gomez. My birthdate is May 15, 2020, and I am already 6 years old. I live with my parents and siblings. I am in good health and so are my loved ones. My father is Juan Carlos Ortiz Barrera. He works for Ecofiltro company, and he provides for our home needs. My mother is Ana Beatriz Gomez Lopez. She usually stays busy with the household work and taking care of my sisters and me.

I am in pre-kindergarten at school. I enjoy playing with my dolls. I like cats, and my favorite food is noodles. As a family, we are attending the Catholic Church. The house in which we live belongs to my grandma. She lives there alongside my uncles. Fortunately, she allowed us to live with her. There are four rooms made of tin sheets and a cement floor. Fortunately, we have water and electricity; my parents, grandma and uncles contribute to pay for them. Our pets are a cat and eleven parakeets. We are a needy family and for now, our greatest need is a bed since ours is very damaged. Let me tell you I am very excited to be enrolled in the feeding program because it means a great blessing for my whole family. I arrive there in five minutes. I hope you enjoy reading my information and I would like to receive news from you very soon. May God bless you wherever you go!

A bunch of hugs,

Karla Sofia Ortiz Gomez

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, A-A-C Secretary-Antigua