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 hoping you are fine. My name is Bitia Jocabed Bustamante Barrios. I was born on March 14, 2019. I am now 6 years old. I am a kindergarten student. In my free time, I enjoy playing toy dishes. My favorite color is red and I like cats. A delicious dish for me is broccoli. Thanks to God, I am healthy. My father is Axel Obed Bustamante Sosa. He works making backpacks. My mother, Dulce Maribi Barrios Arias, spends time doing her chores and taking care my sisters and me. My two sisters’ names are: Eliza and Eunice. Both are part from the feeding program. One of our main needs is to change my glasses. My family does not attend any church.

We live in a rented house. There are two rooms and a separate kitchen made of tin sheet walls, tin sheet roof, concrete floor, and it has running water and electricity. My father pays for rent Q. 500.00 quetzals ($66.00) monthly, and in addition, he pays other home services. We have two cats and three dogs. It takes me 10 minutes walking from my house to the feeding program. I say goodbye for now until next time.

With much love,

Bitia Jocabed Bustamante Barrios

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary