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 Jessica Johanna Choc Jimenez.  I was born on August 13, 2005 and I am fourteen years old.  I am basically a healthy little girl.  I have one brother and one sister.  My father’s name is Jose and he works as a blacksmith.  My mother’s name is Brenda and she works in the market.  I live with my parents and my siblings in a rented house.  We have five small rooms and we use one of those as a kitchen.  The house is made of cement block with a tin roof and a cement floor.  We have water and electricity.  I am in 6^th grade.  My favorite color is red and my favorite animal is the giraffe.  The food that I liked best is pollo guisado (typical Guatemala dish).  In my free time, I like to play ball, to talk with my siblings and friends, and to watch television.  My family attends Church of God.

With much love and many blessings,

Jessica Johanna Choc Jimenez

Translated by: Edwina Lyons/AAC Missionary