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 great blessing to share a little about me with you. I hope that when you receive my letter, you are fine. This is Justin Samuel Alexander Mejia Perez, and I was born on September 8, 2018. I am 6 years old now. I am in kindergarten at school. The things that I like the most to do in my free time are playing soccer, painting and memory game. I love the color blue and my favorite animal is the dog so I have one at home. I like when my mother cooks roast beef and I like pizza too. My father is Samuel Jeremias Mejia Cardona, and he earns a living working as a tuc-tuc driver. My mother is Maylin Rosmery Perez Lemus, and she sells ice cream cones on the street. She also raises chickens to earn extra money. Thanks to God, we are in good health. My family attends a Prince of Peace church.

We live in a rented house made of block, concrete roof and floor. We have running water and electricity. There are two rooms, and we use one of them as a kitchen. My parents pay Q 1200.00 quetzales ($160.00) for rent and services.  Our greatest need is a bed. I walk about 20 minutes from home to the feeding program. I pray God pours out many blessings upon you.

God bless you!

Justin Samuel Alexander Mejia Perez

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary