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 am so happy to write to you and I hope you are doing fine. My name is Sofia Yasmin Sumale Mayen. I was born on March 29, 2013. I am 12 years old now. I am a sixth-grade student. I enjoy playing soccer, cooking and reading stories in my free time. My favorite color is black and I love dogs. I like it when my mother cooks fried chicken. Thanks to God, I am a healthy girl. Let me tell you a little about my family.

I live with my mother Blanca Iris Mayen Arevalo and my two siblings. 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 supports our family 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 brother Byron and I attend a family group where we learn about God and listen to His word. I want to ask you to pray for my mother as she suffers from high blood pressure, and 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 at the moment are groceries and shoes. I walk about 20 minutes from home to the feeding program. I say goodbye to you for now hoping to hear from you soon.

With much love,

Sofia Yasmin Sumale Mayen

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary