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! I feel so happy to be part of the feeding program and be able to write this letter. This is Mia Isabella Garcia Oscal. I was born on May 8, 2020. I am 5 years old. I attend pre-kindergarten. I enjoy spending time playing dolls, painting and watching TV. I like the color red and my favorite animal is the dog. The foods that I like the most are fried chicken and spaghetti. I am in good health and so is my family. I would like to tell you about my family: I only have the last name of my mother because my father passed away before I was born. My mother is Andrea Rubi Garcia Oscal, and she does her best to support our family by working as a merchant selling children´s clothing, underwear and snacks. I do not have siblings. My family does not attend any church.

We live in my grandmother´s house which is made of block and tin sheet walls, tin sheet roof, and concrete floor with running water and electricity. There are three rooms but we only use one of them and my mother shares the kitchen with my grandmother. My grandmother and uncles pay the home expenses. Our greatest needs are groceries and shoes. I walk about 15 minutes from home to the feeding program. I say goodbye for now and I pray for God to take care of you.

With much love,

Mia Isabella Garcia Oscal

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary