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. 

Hello! This is Nataly Alejandra Otoy Zamora, and I want to tell you a little about me through this letter; my mom helped me to give all this information to LW Evangelism team. I am a healthy girl, and I turned 12 in May; I was born on May 19, 2014. I am studying, and I am in 5th grade this year. In my free time, I do my homework and listen to music. My favorite dish is a typical one called “Pepian”, and I love the color red. The dog is the animal that I like the most. I only have one sister. My family and I attend the Catholic Church.   

Thankfully, my parents are in good health. My father’s name is Juan Bautista Otoy Gonzalez, and he works as a day laborer. My mother’s name is Heidy Lourdes Zamora Hipolito, and she keeps busy doing the household chores. We are a humble family, and our frequent needs are groceries.  I have to walk for 10 minutes to arrive at the program. We live in our own house, and we share it with my grandparents. Our house has three rooms and a kitchen, and it is all made of tin sheets with a concrete floor. Fortunately, we have running water and electricity services. We have one dog as a pet. This is all for now, and I hope to have news from you soon.  

Yours truly 

Nataly Alejandra Otoy Zamora 

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary-Antigua