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.

I am so grateful to God for the opportunity to be enrolled in the feeding program and be able to share my story through Living Water. I walk 20 minutes to get to the program. My full name is Crista Fernanda Reyes Guzman. I was born on March 6, 2018, and I am an 8-year-old girl. Thankfully, we are in good health, and so is my mother. I live only with my mother; her name is Claudia Noemi Guzman Polanco de Reyes. My mom makes a living by working as a secretary. We are Christians and are attending Ebenezer Church. Sadly, my father passed away about 6 months ago, and his name was Ruben Giovanni Reyes Gonzalez. He was sick with diabetes; he lost a toe on his foot and then he lost the leg. It was so sad and hard for me since we were so close to each other. So, we have gone through difficulties, and thanks to God´s help, we are going ahead little by little.

I am a second-grade student this year. My favorite color is purple. I like animals, but my favorite is the dog in fact, my pet is a dog. The meals I love the most are noodles and sauce. I love to spend my time jumping rope, coloring and playing memory. Thanks to the Lord, one of my uncles has loaned us his house and we do not pay rent. One of my aunts is living there too. There are three rooms in the house, but we use only one. There is a kitchen too. It is a concrete block house with metal sheets and a cement floor. We have water and electricity; my mom and aunt support each other to pay the bills. Our greatest needs are groceries and shoes for school. Well, I hope you find my letter interesting and I would like to hear from you very soon. May our Lord bless you wherever you are!

Special hugs,

Crista Fernanda Reyes Guzman

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, A-A-C Secretary-Antigua