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. Some children live on top of an old rubbish dump in Zone 5 of Guatemala City. It is an extremely dangerous area where criminals, prostitutes and drug addicts live.

Hello! I am pleased to be able to greet you and tell you about myself today. My name is Ashlim Alejandra Ochoa Santizo. I was born on September 27, 2016, in Guatemala City. I am 10 years old. I am a third-grade student. I like playing with my dolls, playing lottery, memory, tag and coloring. My favorite color is pink, and my favorite animal is the rabbit. I love to eat noodles and meatballs. Elder Eduardo Ochoa Estrada is my uncle, and he only gave me his last name. He does not support me. Dulce Maria Santizo Rodriguez is my biological mother. However, she does not support me and hardly ever looks for me; she lives in another place. Since I was 3 months old, my grandmother Violeta Ochoa has cared for me. She does not have a specific job, so she sells any type of product in the market. She also helps other people set up their tables for their products. My biological father became homeless, and we know nothing about him.

As for my health, let me tell you I have been asthmatic since I was born, and I use a nebulizer with medication. My grandfather is diabetic and has no leg, and due to his condition, he does not work. My grandmother struggles to provide for food and all the home expenses. She is a hardworking woman, and I want you to pray for her life, health and well-being. We are attending the Restoration Church. We live in a rented room, and the monthly payment is Q600.00 ($80.00). It is a room made of tin sheets and a cement floor. My grandma cooks inside the room because there is no kitchen. We have running water and electricity services; my mother pays for them every month. Our greatest needs are groceries and medicines. I am very happy to be enrolled in the feeding program; I get there by walking in 30 minutes. Well, this is all for now, but feel free to ask for more information about me. I pray God will bless you today and every day!

With all my love,

Ashlim Alejandra Ochoa Santizo

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