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.

I am so glad to greet you through this, and I hope you enjoy reading my information! This is Carlos Adrian Perez Alvarez. My birthdate is September 21, 2016, and I will turn 10 years old this year. I have one brother and one sister. My father is Carlos Alberto Perez Cuncu. He does different things since he works as a day laborer, however, he does not live with us because he has another partner. Even though he does not live with us, he gives us economic support. My mother is Jocelin Azucely Alvarez Mux. She does the household work and watches over my siblings and me. My mother has another partner; he is Mr. Juan Apen. He works as a delivery person for different businesses. He has been living with us for four years, and thank God, he supports us economically. We do not attend any church now.  

I am a third-grade student this year. I enjoy playing football in my spare time. The meal I love the most is pizza. I like animals, especially lions. Let me tell you I am quite well; however, I suffer from bone pain maybe because I am growing up. Thankfully, the rest of my family is doing well. We are living in a rented house, and my stepfather pays for the rent. The monthly payment is Q800.00, $107.00, and fortunately, it includes water and electricity services. There are two rooms made of metal sheets, both walls and roof, with a cement floor. My mom cooks inside the room since there is no kitchen. We are a very humble family, and our greatest needs are groceries. For me, it is a great blessing to be enrolled in the feeding program and receive my meals and medical care. I arrive at the program by riding on a bicycle, and it takes me ten minutes. Well, this is all for now and I would like to receive news from you very soon. May God bless you wherever you are!

With all my love,

Carlos Adrian Perez Alvarez

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