My Story

Duenas, where your child lives, is a small farming village located at the foot of one of Guatemala's active volcanoes, Fuego (Fire). The fertile ground around the village allows for the cultivation of roses and coffee, two of Guatemala's largest exports. Most of the families in this area live in one or two room wooden or adobe houses with tin roofs. Electricity is available to those who can afford it. Running water is available - however, most homes do not have indoor plumbing. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider education of value. Life in Duenas is quiet and sometimes difficult.

Hello! My name is Zulin Alejandra Sanchez Torres, and it is a blessing for me to greet you through this letter. I was born on December 2, 2018. I am in good health and attend school as a second grader. My favorite hobby is playing soccer. I like bears, my favorite color is green, and I love eating meat. I live with my mother and stepfather. Sadly, my biological father passed away some years ago because he had an accident on a motorcycle. His name was Juan Jose Sanchez Ramos. My mother’s name is Vilma Elizabeth Torres Rojas. She is a housewife. I am happy because she is pregnant. My stepfather’s name is Pablo Estuardo Ramos Carias. He works as a guard for LW. 

My family and I attend Liberty Church every Sunday. We live in a rented house. My stepfather pays Q200=$25.51 per month. The house has two rooms, but there is no kitchen. Therefore, we must prepare our meals on the patio of our house. The walls and roof are made of tin sheet roofs with dirt floors. We have electricity and running water. We have a lovely dog at home as a pet. Our greatest necessity is food. My mother and I usually walk for about 20 minutes from where I live to get to the feeding program. To end this letter, I want you to know that my mom helped me to give all this information to an AAC secretary. I say goodbye to you lovingly, hoping to hear from you soon.  

In the name of Jesus,

Zulin Alejandra Sanchez Torres

Translated by: Hillary Popol /AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala