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 wonderful day to greet you and share my information through Living Water! I am so happy to introduce myself to you. This is Michael Ernesto Linares Gonzalez. I was born on October 8, 2021, and I will turn 5 years old this year. I live with my parents, grandmother and one brother; God has been so good to us giving us good health. My mom is Evelyn Carolina Gonzalez Gonzalez. She is a housewife and takes care of my brother and me. My dad is Ernesto Alfonso Linares Lemus. He works dlivering pure water, and with his wage, he provides for our needs. We are not attending any church for now.

I am still not attending school because of my age. Mostly I stay at home, and I spend my time coloring. I like dogs; in fact, our pet is a dog. My favorite color is blue. My favorite meal is noodles. We live in a rented house, and the monthly payment is Q500.00, $ 67.00. There are two concrete block rooms with metal sheet roof and a cement floor. We have running water and electricity services; my parents pay the bills every month. As a family, our greatest need is some furniture to save our things. For my mother and me, it is a great blessing to be enrolled in the feeding program and receive the meals and medical care in the program. I walk only 10 minutes to arrive at the program. Well, this is all for now and I hope to hear news from you very soon. May God continue blessing you!

With all my love,

Michael Ernesto Linares Gonzalez

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