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 Ximena Ofelia Esquit Duarte.  I was born January 23, 2010 and I am nine years old.  I suffer from stomach pains and headaches sometimes, but I am seeking treatment for these.  I have two sisters who also attend the feeding program.  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 3^rd grade.  My favorite color is light blue and my favorite animal is the dog.  The food that I like best is chicken.  In my free time, I like to play with my dolls and my puppies. 

With much love and many blessings,

Ximena Ofelia Esquit Duarte

Translated by: Edwina Lyons/AAC Missionary