My Story

NE2445

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 Martina Hoana Perez Cuin. I was born on November 21, 2008 and I am 10 years old. I am in good health and I attend the Zone 5 feeding program. My father’s name is Juan Carlos Perez Garcia. Sadly, he abandoned my family several years ago, and we have not had any communication with him. My mother’s name is Claudia Johana Cuin, and she earns money by collecting and selling recyclable materials such as glass and plastics. She also buys and sells second hand clothes. She uses the money that she makes to pay for our rent, food and other expenses. We rent a medium size room that is made of tin and cement blocks. The roof is tin, and the floor is part cement and part dirt. We have running water and electricity which are not included in the rent. We pay for those separately. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters. I am in 2^nd grade this year, and when I am not in school, I spend my time playing with my dolls, toy dishes, watching television or coloring. My favorite color is orange, and my favorite animal is the elephant. The food that I like to eat the most is beans with rice.  Currently, my family does not attend church.

With much love and many blessings,

Martina Hoana Perez Cuin

Translated by: Edwina Lyons/AAC Missionary