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! It is a privilege to greet you through this letter. My name is Manuela Pedro Cristobal and in this opportunity, I will tell you about my daughter Teresa Jennifer Marcos Pedro. Fortunately, she is a healthy 2-year-old girl. She was born on October 9, 2021. She is too young to attend school. Therefore, she stays home with my mother-in-law or me. Her favorite pastime is playing with her dolls. Her favorite color is pink, she likes cats, and her favorite food is black beans and spaghetti. Besides Teresita, I have two boys and two girls. We live with my parents-in-law and two brothers-in-law. Mr. Marcos Francisco is my father-in-law; he works as a farmer alongside me. We do our best to cover the rent payment of our house and other needs. While we keep busy working, my mother-in-law takes care of my children. Unfortunately, the father of my children abandoned our family a few years ago. He is not in touch with us or helps us economically either. His name is Sebastian Marcos Ramirez.

We are a humble family and one of our greatest needs is food. So please, pray for all of us. In advance, thank you so much! Let me tell you that we live in a rented house which costs Q700=$90.52 monthly. Fortunately, the rent payment includes the electricity and running water bills. The house’s walls and roofs are made of tin sheets with dirt floors. It has two rooms and a separate kitchen. We raise six chickens at home for our consumption. Luckily, the feeding program is a five-minute walk from our house. I am glad because all my children are already part of this project. To end this letter, I want you to know that we are members of the Catholic Church in our town. Before leaving you, Teresita and I want you to know that a teacher of the LW evangelism team assisted us in composing this letter to you. Have a great day!

In the name of Jesus,

Teresa Jennifer Marcos Pedro and her mother

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala