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 Rosa Elizabeth Marroquin Perez. I was born on February 20, 2013, and I am already 10 years old. I attend 4^th grade this year. I spend my free time playing with my dolls and coloring. I love eating hamburgers. My favorite color is red and the animals I love are dogs. I suffer from anemia and my mother took me to the health center, I received vitamins and God willing, I get better soon. Fortunately, my family is doing well. I live with my parents and two brothers. My father´s name is Jaime Noe Marroquin Caciano. He makes a living by harvesting avocados on a farm in our village, and he earns Q2,400.00 = $320.00 per month. My mother´s name is Jennifer Magali Perez Gutierrez. She works in San Sebastian Farm by fertilizing plants, and she earns about Q1800.00 = $240.00 per month. Our pets are a cat and a dog.

We attend Catholic Church in our village. We live in a rented house; the monthly payment is Q700.00 = $94.00 and my parents pay for it. We have one block room with a tin sheet roof, and a cement floor. The kitchen is separated, and it is made of the same materials. There is running water and electricity services, and my parents pay for them. As a family, our most basic needs are food, clothing, footwear, and the house rent. My siblings and I walk about 20 minutes to get to the feeding program. My aunt Wendy Marisol Ojer Perez provided my personal information to the Living Water staff for registration. So long. Many blessings!

Best wishes,

Rosa Elizabeth Marroquin Perez

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala