Carta de Erika Aguiar - Madrina: Annelies Burkhalter

Annelies Burkhalter

Dear godmother,

I would like to greet you and I hope that this letter finds you and your family enjoying good health and I would like to tell you about my family and my studies.

During this year, my family and I have had a very difficult time due to the economic problems that we have. My parents could not get a job for a long time but thank God, things have been getting better.

I would also like to tell you that I finished the school year and I was one of the best students in my class. I got done with school in November 20^th and all the teachers and my family congratulated me and they were really proud of me and my siblings because they did pretty well too. All these achievements could only be made with God’s help, my parents and because of you. You gave me the opportunity to study so I can not tell you how much I thank you for it.

I would also like to tell you that I had some difficulties on the second period of the school year because I failed a subject and it was very hard for me, but I finally made up for it and passed.

I also wanted to work but I am not allowed to do so because I am under age. I wanted to work because I wanted to help my family but I can still help my parents by baby sitting my brother.

As you know, I live in Tolima (a state in Colombia) and I live in the capital which is Ibagué. In June and July, we celebrate the carnival of San Juan and San Pedro. They are spectacular because people can dance and have fun. There are parades all over downtown and there is a beauty contest where they pick the girl who can dance best and that is the most beautiful. They are called the folklore holidays.

In December people put all the ornaments on the trees and they put lights all over the houses. The streets look very bright. On December seventh, people put colored candles in front of their house and it is very beautiful. Starting on the 16^th until the 24^th, we pray something we call novena in front of a nativity representation and on the 24^th at 12 pm, we open presents and people share wine cookies, natilla and buñuelos (Colombian traditional Christmas food). People hug each other and wish a merry Christmas to everyone. On the 31^st people burn a doll made of old rags and then everyone wishes other people the best for the coming year.

Just before I say goodbye, I would like to thank you for all your help and wish you the best for this coming year.

Merry Christmas and happy new year for you and your family.

Yours truly,

Erika Aguiar