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. Life in Zone 5 is very difficult. Some children live on top of an old rubbish dump in Zone 5 of Guatemala City. It is an extremely dangerous area where criminals, prostitutes and drug addicts live.

My full name is Keyling Zafira Aguirre Ochoa and I am so happy to share my information with you. I was born on November 17, 2018. I am a healthy 7-year-old girl and I am in first grade. What I like doing the most is playing with my dolls, painting, and pretending to cook with plastic food. My favorite animals are elephants and I love eating spaghetti with tomato sauce. I like the colors purple and pink. I live with my mother, grandmother, and two brothers. I have no sisters. Thankfully, they are all in good health. We are members of Restauration Church. The main supporter of my family is my mother. Her name is Yeimi Abigail Ochoa and she makes a living as a waitress.

About my father, I want you to know that he traveled to the United States. His name is Sergio Waldemar Aguirre Cabrera and unfortunately, we have no information about him since he left our country. My family and I live in a rented house and my mother usually pays Q Q1000=$131.14 monthly. This payment does not include the electricity and running water services payment. The house is made of concrete block with concrete roof and concrete floor. It has two rooms and a separate kitchen. While my mother works, my grandmother takes care of my brothers and me. I am so happy because I can attend the feeding program alongside my siblings. We usually walk for one hour and a half from where we live to get there. This is all for now, but if you want to hear something else about my life, feel free to ask me. Until next time!

Sincerely yours,

Keyling Zafira Aguirre Ochoa

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary/ Guatemala