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 Benjamin Sabdiel Garcia Hernandez.  I was born on April 14, 2014 and I am five years old.  I am basically a healthy child.  I live with my mother, sister and grandparents.  We own the house in which we live.  We have one room where we sleep and cook on a small stove.  The room is made of cement block with a tin roof and a cement floor.  We have water and electricity.  My mother’s name is Yaquelin and she works in a dining room in order to provide for our needs.  Also, my grandfather helps us with a little food.  I am in kindergarten and when I am not in school, I spend my time playing ball, tag and hide-and-seek.  My favorite color is blue and my favorite animal is the monkey.  The food that I like best is eggs.  Currently, my family does not attend church.

With much love and many blessings,

Benjamin Sabdiel Garcia Hernandez

Translated by: Edwina Lyons/AAC Missionary