Zone 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. This child lives on top of an old rubbish dump in Zone 5 of Guatemala City.

Hello, my name is Karin Elizabeth Sandy Barillas Esquit.  I was born February 26, 2006 and I am thirteen years old.  I am a healthy child.  I have two sisters who also attend the feeding program.  My father’s name is Guillermo, but unfortunately, he left us when I was small.  My mother’s name is Sonia and she cleans houses to earn money for our expenses.  Sometimes she also makes food to sell for extra income.  We rent one room with a separate kitchen.  Both are made of cement block with a tin roof and a granite floor.  We have water and electricity.  I am in the 5^th grade.  My favorite color is fuchsia and my favorite animal is the dog.  The food that I like best is chicken.  In my free time, I like to play soccer or to go out to the park and talk. 

With much love and many blessings,

Karin Elizabeth Barillas Esquit

Translated by: Edwina Lyons/AAC Missionary