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.

Hello! It is a pleasure to send you many greetings and hugs with much love hoping you are doing well and are receiving the Lord´s blessings. This is Luis Fernando Abraham Quel Vasquez. I was born on June 11, 2017. I am now 8 years old. I am a 1^st grade student. In my free time, I enjoy drawing. My favorite color is blue and I like lions. I love to eat pizza. Thanks to God, I am fine just like my family. My father, Luis Fernando Quel Rompich, earns a living working as a food delivery man. My mother is Monica Guadalupe Vasquez Lopez, and her duties are taking care of us and doing the housework. There are three of us children and we are all enrolled in the feeding program. We do not attend any church.

We have our own house made of block, concrete roof, ceramic floor, with running water and electricity. It has three rooms but we only use two and a separate kitchen because we share the house with more people. My father pays for rent including services Q. 1700.00 quetzals ($ 227.00) monthly. I have a dog as a pet. We are grateful to God for every blessing. I walk about 30 minutes from home to the feeding program. I say goodbye for now, and I hope you like my letter.

With much love,

Luis Fernando Abraham Quel Vasquez

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary