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.

I send warm greetings through this letter hoping it finds you in good health. This is Byron Rolando Sumale Mayen. I was born on March 22, 2016. I am 9 years old now. I am a third-grade student. The things that I like the most to do in my free time are playing soccer and with spinning tops. Sometimes, I look for job as a mason´s helper or carpenter´s helper in order to earn extra money. My favorite color is red and I love dogs so I have one at home.  A delicious dish for me is spaghetti and fried chicken. Thankfully, I am a healthy boy. I would like to tell you a little about my family; I live only with my mother Blanca Iris Mayen Arevalo and my two sisters. My father is Oscar Rolando Sumale Alvarez but he abandoned our family many years ago and we do not know anything about him. My mother does her best to cover our needs working as a merchant. She sells different products such as: snacks, candies and sodas in different stadiums. My older sister Yeimi helps my mother by working in a plastic center. My family does not attend any church; however, my sister Sofia and I attend a family group where we learn about God and listen His word. I want to ask you to pray for my mother as she suffers from high blood pressure, but she is taking medicine. She also did some other exams because she is having health issues.

I live in a rented house made of block, tin sheet roof and concrete floor. There are four rooms and a separate kitchen. My mother pays Q. 800.00 ($107.00) quetzals monthly for rent and services. We have running water and electricity. Our greatest needs are groceries and shoes. I walk about 20 minutes from home to the feeding program. I pray God pours out many blessings upon you.

Many greetings,

Byron Rolando Sumale Mayen.

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary