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.

Hello! I My name is Daniel Alexander Parada Gutierrez. My birthdate is March 15, 2017, which makes me 8 years of age now. I am attending second grade at school this year. I love dogs, and my favorite color is black. The meal I love the most is pizza. I enjoy playing with my sister. We play football and watch TV. I live happily with my mother, one brother and two sisters. By the grace of God, my family is healthy. We do not attend any church.

My father´s name is Erick Alexander Parada Grajeda. He works in a gas station in Chimaltenango Department. It is far away from home, and fortunately, he sends us financial support. My mother´s name is Alejandra Gabriela Gutierrez Carmona. She is a street vendor and sells underwear in Chimaltenango´s market in the mornings. While she goes to work, my grandpa and his partner take care of my siblings and me. My mother picks us up in the afternoon. My parents got separated four years ago due to marital problems; nevertheless, both struggle to provide for my siblings and me. We are living in a rented house and the monthly payment is Q900.00 = $120.00, including the water and electricity services. There are two rooms with a separate kitchen. It is a house made of concrete block with cement roof and a ceramic floor. As a family, our essential needs are groceries. I say goodbye to you for now and I would like to hear news from you. Every kind of blessing over you!

With much love,

Daniel Alexander Parada Gutierrez

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala