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.

Hello! I am delighted to introduce myself to you through this letter. I hope this finds you doing well. My name is Abner Elias Jacinto Guaran, and I was born on April 24, 2012. I am in fifth grade, and my favorite color is blue. I am doing well, although I have had walking and running troubles since I was younger. Because of a lack of money, my parents have not taken me to a specialist to treat my condition. Therefore, I would love to count on your prayers for me to see a specialist soon. I love eating fried chicken, especially if it is from “pollo Campero”, and my favorite pets are dogs. The people who I live with are my parents and youngest sister. I do not have brothers. My father’s name is Justo Elias Jacinto Pachel. He makes a living as a baker for other people. His salary is about Q3500=$446.65 monthly. After school, I enjoy helping him in the bakery. My mother’s name is Sara Maria Guaran Yuca. She works as a cashier in the bakery and earns about Q700=89.33 monthly.

My family and I attend Foursquare Church in our town. We live with my paternal grandparents, one of my aunts, and her children. My aunt is a single mother. The house belongs to my grandparents. It has three rooms, but my family and I use only one. There is a separate kitchen, and we share it with the rest of our extended family. We also share the payment for electricity and running water. The walls and roof are made of tin sheets, and the floors are dirt. We raise some chickens at home. Some of our needs are clothes, shoes, and food. The feeding program is near my home. My sister and I usually walk 10 minutes from our house to get there. I say goodbye to you now, but I want you to know that my aunt, Evelin Adriana Jacinto Pachel, helped me to give all this information to an AAC secretary. I send you a lot of hugs!

With much love,

Abner Elias Jacinto Guaran

Translated by: Hillary Popol / AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala