My name is Luis Gadiel Similoj Lorenzo. I am 19 years old. I live in San Martín Jilotepeque, in Barrio El Guite. 

Since a long time ago, when I was 5 years old, my mother noticed I had a small ball in one of my testicles. My mother asked what it was and she was told it was something normal. Over time it was growing without my mom knowing it was a hernia.

My mother took me to the national hospital many times to be checked but she was always told it was not something to worry about or that could affect me in puberty.  After some time, I was having pain and the ball was growing. The doctors said that I was only going to have a surgery when it would get serious, or when I would get a fever or would be throwing up, then my mother would have to take me to the hospital to have the surgery.

I could not have the surgery at a private hospital because I didn’t have the economic resources. For me it was very expensive.

I am very grateful to God and very happy to have had the surgery in a private clinic.  I could not imagine that this could have happened and all the despair and anguish I had are over.

For me it was very important to have the surgery. I feared that something could happen to me at work or that I could have a reaction during puberty.

My heart is grateful to God and you for making possible this surgery that has changed my life.  I pray to God to give you health, life and many blessings for you.

Thank you for the privilege you gave me to have the surgery.  May God pay you back for your help.

My family and I appreciate that you made my surgery possible. May God continue to bless you and a big hug.

Luis Gadiel Similoj Lorenzo

When you meet Kiely, you are immediately drawn into her smile and her positive attitude.

But a visit with her reveals deep hurt from years past.  Kiely’s mom feels constant regret that she had to leave her four children alone.

When Keily was four years old, her father had a back injury and couldn’t work.  Mom had no choice but to leave the house to go

to work to support the family.  There were relatives living in a connecting house.  The children were abusive, constantly tormenting Kiely and her three brothers.  They were helpless in the absence of mom and dad.

“I want to write a book about my life” said Keily when we visited her in March, 2023.

“Would you include the bad parts?”  I asked.

“Yes” Kiely replied.

“But Keily, you always have a smile”  I said.

“I smile because no one is going to smile for me” said Kiely.

“I’ll buy your book” I responded.

We hugged.

December 2022

When our 12 students graduated from 9th grade they asked if they could do a construction project with Ken.  Thinking he should begin with a small project, Ken bought lumber and bolts to build a bench that could turn into a table.  Using the equipment in his shop, Ken measured precisely,  planed the wood and rounded the edges. He was ready to work with the students.

January 12, 2023 – Construction day for the 6 girls

January 13, 2023 – Construction day for the 6 boys

The girls were nervous.   “I didn’t breathe when I was using the drill” said Keily.  But when they finished they felt triumphant.  “Now I can help my dad” said Melina.

The boys were confident.  Angel was a master using the drill. Emerson showed his math skills using the tape measure.

The table/bench will be used by all of the students at the Learning Center.  We are sure a construction project with Ken will become an annual event.

I greet you cordially, hoping that you will be enjoying abundant blessings.

My name is Néstor Alejandro Tacén Lozano, I am currently 19 years old and I am in the last year of high school.  I have only one sister, 16 years of age, who is studying in 8^th grade.

I currently live at the home of one of my aunts, as my mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and sadly passed away in 2019. I don’t have my father’s support either.

During the days that I do not study I dedicate myself to work and with the money I earn I can cover my personal expenses and help my aunt with the purchase of food. I currently work on a farm, which is dedicated to the production of chickens.  The little money I earn is not enough because all things are expensive and cost, but I do not give up and fight to get ahead.

My plans for the next year are to look for a job that allows me to have a stable source of income, and thus be able to support my sister with her studies and also help in the expenses generated in the house. And, on the other hand, I also plan to follow a course to learn English.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support provided in the time I have been awarded a scholarship, and not only for the financial contribution, which, of course, has been of great help to me, but also for the simple fact of belonging to a foundation that helps youth  by providing students with an opportunity for a better future.

I also want to thank you for taking me into account and placing your trust in me, as that motivates me to move forward.

Nestor Alejandro Tacen Lozano

Angel Jose Corominal Ramos

9^th grade student

Angel is a student in 9^th grade at our junior high school.  He is tall, fair-skinned, brown-eyed, responsible, kind and shy. He is a young man who did not like to participate in class because he was afraid of what others might think of him.  He also did not like to ask questions about what he did not understand because at elementary school he had difficulty expressing himself in front of his teachers.

In preparation for 9^th grade graduation in October, 2021, Gloria, principal at our school, told Angel he would have the honor of carrying the flag at graduation because of his excellent academic performance.

Upon hearing this news Angel was very excited because this was one of his goals at the beginning of the school year (in Guatemala school runs from January to October).

Then Angel commented “I could not believe this because I already had a bad experience in 7^th grade at another school.  My teacher told me I was the flag bearer and the next day the teacher told me it was a mistake.”  From that time on Angel lost confidence in himself and his teachers.

By the end of this school year Angel was able to express himself without any difficulties.  Our teachers created a pleasant atmosphere in each classroom and maintained a good relationship with each student.

Submitted by Gloria Isabel Guerra Ordon

Hombres y Mujeres en Accion

Junior High School

San Martin, Jilotepeque

November 23, 2021

Left: Angel proudly displaying his

9^th grade diploma on graduation

day, October 24, 2021. At graduation

Angel said “Carrying the flag is an

an unbelievable honor for

me”.

My name is Brayan Eliú Batres Marroquín. I am 14 years old and live in a village called El Sause Xejuyu, near San Martin, Jilotepeque, Guatemala.  My family us made up of 5 members: My father Edgar, 39,  my mother Heidy, my brothers Derik, 13 and Alan 10.

I am in 8th grade and Alan is in 4th grade.  My father works as a farmer in the fields nearby our house and sometimes as a mason’s assistant. My mother makes tortillas and sells them to our neighbors.

“I have seen my mother cry very often and when I ask her what she has she tells me that nothing, do not worry that everything will be fine.”  It worries me that my mother is sad.  The pandemic is affecting us and my parents do not have enough money to feed the family.

Brayan with his father, mother and 2 brothers at their house in El Sause Sept 2021

In these last months my dad has only worked 2 days a week earning Q50.00 ($6.50) per day and the tortilla business decreased unfortunately because the cost of corn is increasing.  My mom has had some opportunities to do domestic trades in other people’s homes and that has served to meet some needs in our home but she only makes Q45  ($6) a day.  It’s not enough to meet all of the family expenses.