My Story

Duenas, where your child lives, is a small farming village located at the foot of one of Guatemala's active volcanoes, Fuego (Fire). The fertile ground around the village allows for the cultivation of roses and coffee, two of Guatemala's largest exports. Most of the families in this area live in one or two room wooden or adobe houses with tin roofs. Electricity is available to those who can afford it. Running water is available - however, most homes do not have indoor plumbing. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider education of value. Life in Duenas is quiet and sometimes difficult.

Hello! My name is Nelson Gudiel Velasquez Chuy, and I am writing this letter to tell you a little about my life. I live with my grandmother Isidra Cojolon Dondiego, and she takes care of me very well. My father is Dionel Enrique Velasquez Najarro, and he has never lived with the family. I do not know what he does for a living, and he only sends money for my needs every fifteen days. My mother is Marta Leticia Chuy Cojolon, and sadly, she has been in jail for about three years. I have one aunt named Maria Josefina Chuy Cojolon, and she is always attentive to me even though she does not live with me; she helped me to write this letter. As a family, we are attending the Catholic Church; please pray for us since we are always in need of groceries.

I was born on August 17, 2019, so I am 6 years old. I am in good health, and I am attending kindergarten this year. In my free time, I like playing soccer. I love the capybara, and my favorite color is blue. I really enjoy eating fried chicken. I have three brothers and one sister, and two of my brothers are part of the feeding program too; we walk for 10 minutes to arrive at the program. I live in a concrete block and tin sheet house, and it has a tin sheet roof and concrete floor. The house belongs to my grandma, and it has two rooms and a kitchen; it also has running water and electricity services. We have hens and a cat at home. Well, this is all for now. I hope you find it interesting.

In Jesus name

Nelson Gudiel Velasquez Chuy

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary/Antigua Guatemala