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! My name is Engerlbert Leonardo Aguilar de Leon, and I feel so glad to be part of the feeding program. I am 9 years old and I was born on August 2, 2016. I attend school in 3^rd grade. I enjoy playing soccer, toy cars, memory and painting. I am a healthy boy. I love the color blue and my favorite animal is the rabbit. I like to eat rice, fried chicken and herbs. My father is Engerlbert Rulaman Aguilar Sacaria, and he earns a living working as a helper in a warehouse. My mother is Yocelin Yojana De Leon Hernandez, and she works making tortillas three times a week. My sister is Sherly, and she attends the feeding program too. My family is in good health. We do not attend any church.

We live in a rented house made of block, concrete roof and concrete floor. There are two rooms, a separate kitchen, running water and electricity. My parents pay monthly for rent Q. 900.00 quetzals ($ 120.00). At home, we have one dog and two rabbits. Our greatest needs are clothing, groceries and shoes. I walk about 40 minutes from home to the feeding program. It was a pleasure to tell you a little about me.

With much love,

Engerlbert Leonardo Aguilar de Leon

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary