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. 

I greet you with much love. My name is Keiler Matias Sajic de la Cruz, and I am 7 years old; I was born on November 10, 2018. I am studying, and I am in 1st grade this year. I am in good health. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters, and one of them is registered at the feeding program too. We walk for about 30 minutes to arrive at the program. In my free time, I play soccer and marbles. I love the color green, and my favorite animal is the turtle. I enjoy eating fried chicken and potatoes. At the moment, we are not attending a church.  

I was not legally recognized by my biological father, and I do not know anything about him. My mother’s name is Otilia Sajic de la Cruz, and she collects cartons for recycling. It is hard for her because she has to work the whole day and only earns a little money. I have a little sister who has Down’s-syndrome, and my siblings and I take care of her while our mother is not at home. We live with my maternal grandparents and their children. The house has six rooms and a kitchen, but we only use one room, so we sleep and cook in the same space. The house is made of concrete block with a tin sheet roof and concrete floor. We have running water and electricity. We are a very needy family, and our frequent needs are groceries, clothes and shoes. I say goodbye to you for now.  

Cordially yours 

Keiler Matias Sajic de la Cruz 

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary-Antigua