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 part of the feeding program and have the opportunity to write this letter telling a little about me. My name is Matthew Gudiel Siguenza Perez. I was born on October 31, 2012. I will turn 13 years old. I am a sixth-grade student. The things that I like the most to do are: playing soccer, drawing and reading stories. My favorite color is yellow and I like dogs. A delicious dish for me is hamburger. I ask for your prayers to improve my health because I have been suffering from seizures since I was 9 months old. I take medicine. About my family: I do not know anything about my biological father. He did not legally recognize me; he does not keep in touch with me nor help me in any way. My mother is Emily Yomara Siguenza Perez; she is the only one who supports our family. She earns a living by selling fried chicken and French fries. I have one sister who attends the feeding program too. We are members of a Christian Church Evangelio Completo.

We live in a rented house made of block walls, tin sheets and concrete floor; my mother pays Q 900.00 quetzals ($ 120.00) monthly. The house has two rooms, but we only use one of them and the other one we use as a kitchen. We have running water and electricity. Our greatest needs are school supplies and groceries. I walk about 20 minutes to get the feeding program. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

Many blessings,

Matthew Gudiel Siguenza Perez

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary