My Story

Dueñas, 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 Dueñas is quiet and sometimes difficult.

First, thank you so much for taking the time to read my information. My name is Alan Enrique Alfaro Tepaz and I am glad to introduce myself to you through this letter. I was born on December 17, 2012. I live with my two biological parents and my youngest sister. My father’s name is Carlos Enrique Alfaro Revolorio. He works hard as a bus driver for a food company. My mother’s name is Claudia Azucena Tepaz Jerez. She does the chores and takes care of our family. She is looking for a job to help my father with her income. We attend a Christian Church called Feeding the Fire of God’s Gift. We live with my maternal grandparents and the house where we live belongs to them.

The house has five rooms and a separate kitchen. My family and I use two rooms and share the kitchen with my grandparents. The walls are made of concrete blocks with tin sheet roofs and concrete floors. We have running water and electricity. My father usually pays for those services, but if he does not have the resources, my grandparents pay the bills for him. We need clothes, shoes, and groceries at home. Thankfully, my family and I are all healthy. As for me, I want you to know that I am in fourth grade. I love playing soccer and my favorite pets are dogs. My favorite color is red and I love eating pizza. My mother and I usually walk about 15 minutes from our house 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 now, but I hope to hear from you through a letter. See you later!

Cordiality yours,

Alan Enrique Alfaro Tepaz

Translated by: Hillary Popol / AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala