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! My name is Keyla Sofia Elizabeth Botzoc Lopez. I was born on January 14, 2019, in Guatemala City. I am 6 years old and I am a healthy girl. I am attending Kindergarten this year. I like to play with my dolls, memory game and to color. I love the color pink, and the animal I like the most is the rabbit. I love eating Chow Mein. I have one brother and one sister. I am very happy to be registered in the feeding program; I get there by walking in 30 minutes. We attend the Nazarene Christian Church.

My father´s name is David Jaime Botzoc Sacul. He works as a security guard in a supermarket, and he provides for our home needs. My mother´s name is Juana Marisol Lopez Catu de Botzoc. She is unemployed now and does the housework. Fortunately, my father and siblings are in good health. I want you to pray for my mother´s health; she is diabetic and takes medicine and has a diet. She receives medical care at IGSS (Guatemalan Social Security Institute). We rent the house in which we live, and the monthly payment is Q1,400.00 = $187.00, including the water and electricity services. There are two concrete block rooms with a tin sheet roof and a cement floor. The kitchen is separate. As a family, our greatest needs are groceries and a bed. We live near a field and a market, and it helps us to do our errands. Well, this is all for now. May God bless you wherever you are!

Special hugs,

Keyla Sofia Elizabeth Botzoc Lopez

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