My Story

Nueva Esperanza, which means New Hope, is located in a slum area of Guatemala City, Guatemala. An extremely poor area, our program is squeezed in among the shanty dwellings built over an old city dump. Many houses in this area are without toilets or running water and are assembled with scrap wood, sheet metal, and cardboard. Zone 5, where Nueva Esperanza is located, is considered one of the most dangerous areas of Guatemala City. It is controlled by gangs and drug pushers. Robberies and murders are common in this area. Public education is available - however, many cannot afford it. Life in Zone 5 is very difficult.

Hello! I feel so happy to be able to write this letter for you to tell you about my life. My name is Brandon Anibal Tiul Hernandez, and I turned 10 years old on January 18. I am a fourth-grade student. I enjoy spending time playing with my dog. My favorite color is red and my favorite food is a hamburger. Thanks to God, I am in good health. I only live with my parents because I do not have siblings at the moment. My father is Isaias Anibal Tul Hernandez; he does his best to support our family by working as a security guard. My mother is Maria Jose Hernandez Lopez, and she helps my father with our expenses working as a cook’s helper in a typical restaurant. We are members of a Catholic church called Maria Auxiliadora.

We live in a rented house. It is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof, ceramic floor, and it running water and electricity. There is one room and a separate kitchen. My parents pay for rent and services Q 1800.00 quetzals ($ 240.00) monthly. Our main needs are groceries and clothes. I would also like you to pray for my parents since it is difficult for them to work and have the time spend time with me since my father comes home every 15 days and my mother comes home late. I walk about 5 minutes to get to the feeding program. I say goodbye for now until a new opportunity.

Many blessings!

Brandon Anibal Tiul Hernandez

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary