My Story

Chuchuca, where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is more than a two-hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa. Chuchuca is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major crops. The Quiché Indians who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak an Indian dialect called Quiché - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

My name is Walter Alexander Garcia De La Cruz. I was born on March 27, 2021. I am 3 years old. Since I am too young, I am not attending school. At the moment, I enjoy playing soccer and toy cars. I love the colors blue and red. I love cats. I like to eat rice and noodles. I thank God for keeping my family and me healthy. I live with my mother, my grandparents and my uncles. My father´s name is Pedro Garcia Mejia. He abandoned us two years ago and he has another family. He does not help us with anything.  My mother´s name is Maria De La Cruz Pastor. She washes clothes for our neighbors. In this manner, she earns some money to cover our expenses. We are members of the Christ Church.  My mother and I live with my maternal grandparents in their house. My grandfather`s name is Baltazar De La Cruz, and he works as a day laborer. My grandmother`s name is Feliza Pastor, and she is a housewife. They help us with our expenses. The house has one room and a separated kitchen. It is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We don´t have running water or electricity. We use candles and flashlights to light the house. We get our water from the spring.  We raise some hens at home. My family and I have many needs and some of them are groceries and corn. I walk 20 minutes to get to the feeding program and I go there with my uncles. We enjoy being there. Thak you for reading my information. I wish you many blessings in your live.

With much love,

Walter Alexander Garcia De La Cruz

Translated by: Magnolia De Torres / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala