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 my pleasure to greet you in this opportunity, and I trust our Lord is blessing you! My name is Fernanda Sarai Jerez Jerez. My birthdate is November 6, 2021. I will turn 5 years old this year. I live with my parents and three sisters. Thanks to the Lord, I am in good health and so is my family. Pedro Juio Jerez is my father, and he makes a living in a coffee production plant. Brenda Esperanza Jerez Ordonez de Jerez is my mother. She works in a plant nursery. I love to see my parents supporting each other to take our family ahead. We do not attend church now.

Because of my young age, I am not attending school yet. So, I stay at home and play with my dolls and toy dishes. My favorite color is green. I love cats, and our pets are cats and dogs. Let me tell you that I love eating fries. As a family, our greatest needs are groceries and school support. I am so grateful to be enrolled in the feeding program and receive the benefits of meals and medical care in the clinics. I walk 30 minutes to arrive at the program, and I usually attend alongside my sisters. Let me tell you that we live in San Sebastian farm, and luckily, we do not pay for rent since my father works in the farm. We use two rooms made of metal sheets with a cement floor. We have a kitchen too. Thankfully, we have running water and electricity services; my parents pay the bills every month. This is all for now and I would like to hear news from you very soon. Every kind of blessing for you!

With all my love,

Fernanda Sarai Jerez Jerez

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