Domingo Perez Bernal
The Heart of a Hero

Michelle Palmer, part of CFHI’s C2C Partnerships Team, recently returned from Guatemala where she was greatly impacted by Food for the Hungry (FH) Guatemala’s Short Term Teams Coordinator Domingo Perez Bernal.

Although Domingo Perez Bernal has only been working with Food for the Hungry (FH) Guatemala for four months, his amazing heart and passion for the people of his country is contagious within the FH office. He left his most recent job with the Ministry of Health to have a greater personal impact in communities through FH. His professionalism, drive and joy greatly impressed me. However, it is his journey of personal sacrifice and commitment to his community that struck me most.

In 1977, Domingo was born into a family of 11 in a remote community in rural Guatemala. The country was going through a brutal civil war in his early years and he still vividly remembers the terrible atrocities - months of hiding in the hills and forests, days of near starvation, and the constant fear of losing his father when he was drafted to serve in the army. 

Domingo knows that he and his family were spared during those difficult times and are a living miracle. Eventually his family did return to their land, but even today people in the community are suspicious of each other and have disagreements over land ownership. In fact, while I was in Guatemala, Domingo's father was shot by a neighbor over a land dispute. The bullet grazed his head but, despite a significant loss of blood, he survived. 

No one can deny that Domingo has faced extreme challenges in his life. One of his greatest victories came through his fight for education. Of all the children in his family, he was the only one who finished high school, which is practically a miracle in rural Guatemala considering the cost of school fees, distance and time. It took Domingo four hours each way to walk to school - an eight hour commute by foot. And what he calls a 'walk' is really extreme hiking considering the area is mountainous, rainy and muddy almost year round. 

In order to get to school on time, Domingo would leave for school at 3:30 am. Classes would take place from 7:30-12:30 pm and then he would start the trek home. From 4:30-8:00pm, Domingo would perform his chores and work in the fields. After a quick dinner, he would collapse into his bed before waking up at 1:30am to do homework and start his day over again! 

Despite this difficult schedule, Domingo never gave up. He graduated and was awarded a scholarship to the University of Kentucky in the United States. He began his first class in university knowing very little English but learned quickly and finished his degree in Business Administration in just four years. He was offered many tempting jobs and opportunities in the US but determined in his heart that he would return home and serve his country from within. 

Domingo’s story of overcoming impossible odds brings great hope to his family, his community and to everyone he works with through Food for the Hungry. He loves the Lord and truly lives it out. When Domingo walks through his village, he is known and loved by everyone. His skills as translator, driver and leader are unmistakable, but above all this, Domingo has a heart and passion to make a positive impact in the lives of his people. He has sacrificed many personal opportunities to be at FH but wouldn't trade his life of service for anything. His love for his country is changing lives, families, and communities. I am privileged to know Domingo and call him my friend.