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.

Hi! My name is Henry Damian Martin Perez, and I want to share with you a little about my family and me. My mom helped me with this letter, so let’s start talking about me. Thank God, I am in good health. I was born on April 18, 2017, so I am 9 years old. I am studying, and I am in 3^rd grade this year. In my free time, I like playing soccer. I love eating salads, and my favorite color is red. I like roosters. We have three dogs and roosters at home. I have one brother and one sister. My family and I are attending an Evangelical Church called Chosen by the Holy Spirit.

My parents’ names are Henry Arnoldo Martin Callejas and Edna Lorena Perez Gomez. They are responsible people and do their best to cover my needs. My dad works as a farmer in our town while my mother works hard at home. They are very grateful for the opportunity I had to be registered at the feeding program. I walk for about 20 minutes to arrive at the program. We live in a rented house, and we have to pay Q400.00 quetzals (about $53.00) per month. The house is made of tin sheets with a dirt floor, and it has two rooms and a kitchen; my grandmother lives with us too. We are a humble family, and our frequent needs are groceries. Well, this is all for now. I hope to have news from you soon.

Kisses and hugs

Henry Damian Martin Perez

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