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.

It is a great pleasure to greet you through this letter. My name is Alex Fernando Fuentes Pelen, and I want to share my story with you. I was born on September 25, 2017. Today, I am a healthy 7-year-old boy. My favorite hobbies are playing soccer with my friends and drawing. My favorite color is red. I am doing well at school as a kindergartener. Before going to school, I love having cereal for breakfast. I have a lovely dog at home as a pet. My favorite animals are cats. It would be amazing to have a kitty at home. I live with my mom, stepfather, and one brother. I do not have any sisters at the moment. My mom is Lourdes Anabella Fuentes Pelen. She works as a domestic employee to help at home with her income. She established a relationship with Mr. Branty Orlando Poron Garcia a few years ago. He makes a living as a farmer in our town and helps us economically. I appreciate him so much as he was my father. As for my biological father, let me tell you that sadly, he abandoned my mom when he knew she was pregnant on me. Therefore, I only have the last name of my mom.

My family and I are members of the Catholic Church and attend mass at the main church in our town. We live in a rented house. The rent payment is Q1,000=$129.31 monthly. The house is made of concrete block walls, tin sheet roofs, and ceramic floors. It has four rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. We share the house with my grandmother and one of my uncles. We share the household expenses with them at the end of the month. We are a humble family, so it has been difficult for us to survive and pay for the house where we live. Therefore, I beg you to pray for us. In advance, thank you so much. I am glad to be part of the feeding program because I can enjoy delicious food and make new friends. To get there, my mom and I usually walk ten minutes from our house. I will leave you now, but if you want to know something else about my life, feel free to ask me. Have a great day!

In the name of Jesus,

Alex Fernando Fuentes Pelen

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala