NE2434

Zona 5, where your child lives, is located in a slum area of Guatemala City. 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 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.

Hello! My name is Marilyn Fernanda Can Caal. I was born on February 18, 2014 and I am five years old. I am in good health and I attend the Zone 5 feeding program. My father’s name is Rolando Cesar Can Caal and he works in a business where they make shoes. My mother’s name is Jeannisia Airlenisi Caal Beb and she works taking care of my cousins. We rent one medium size room to live in. We cook and sleep in this same room. It is made of cement block with a tin roof and a cement floor. We have electricity and running water, but they are not included in the rent. We pay for these separately. My family used to live in Alta Verapaz, but my parents could not find work there, so we moved to Guatemala City. We are so very thankful that I can come to the feeding program. I have to walk about 30 minutes to get to the program. I am an only child, and I am in first grade this year. When I am not in school, I spend my time playing ball, playing with my dolls, toy dishes, jumping rope or playing in the park. My favorite color is purple, and my favorite animal is the rabbit. The food that I like the most is fried chicken with sauce. 

With much love and many blessings,

Marilyn Fernanda Can Caal

Translated by: Edwina Lyons/AAC Missionary