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.

Hello, I hope you are well! I send you many blessings in the name of Jesus! My name is Andy Matias Alexander Ochoa Estrada. I was born on June 8, 2020. I am already 6 years old. I live only with my mother, one brother, and two sisters. I am in kindergarten this year. I love playing with balls, toy cars, spinning tops, and riding a bicycle. My favorite color is red, and my favorite animal is the tiger. The meals I love eating are tacos and beans and cream. Joselin Lilibeth Ochoa Estrada is my mother, and she is a single parent. She works as a cook; however, she does not earn very much, and we have gone through many difficulties. At the moment, we do not attend any church. Thank God, my mom and siblings are doing well.

As for me, I am suffering from ear problems. Unfortunately, my eardrum burst a couple of months ago, and my mom took me to the doctor as an emergency. I received medical care; however, it is still causing me pain. Since my mother is the only one who cares for our family, it is hard for her to take me to the doctor and receive appropriate treatment due to a lack of resources. We live in a rented room, and the monthly payment is Q750.00 ($100.00). It is a room made of tin sheets and blocks, a tin sheet roof, and a cement floor. My grandma cooks in the same room. We have running water and electricity services; my mother pays the bills every month.

As a family, our greatest needs are groceries, footwear and a bed. Please pray for my mother so that she can have a better job to provide for our home needs. Thank you so much for stopping and taking the time to read my information today. May God bless you and keep you always!

Hugs and kisses,

Andy Matias Alexander Ochoa Estrada

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