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.

Hello! I am Angel Danilo Garcia Ruiz. I was born on November 28, 2016. I am now 8 years old. I was born in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am attending school, and this year I am in second grade. I enjoy playing soccer. I love the color blue, and my favorite animal is the dog. Fried chicken is my favorite meal. I live with my parents, two brothers and five sisters. My father`s name is Pedro Garcia Simaj. He works as a farmer and he goes to the coast to cut cane from time to time. My mother´s name is Juana Ruiz Morente. She is a weaver. They both struggle to help our family move forward. We are members of the Catholic Church. By the grace of God, we are a healthy family. We live in a rented house. My parents pay Q300.00 = $38.92 per month.  My oldest brother helps us to pay it. The house has three rooms and a separated kitchen. It is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floor.

We have running water and electricity. My parents pay the running water each year and the electricity each month. We have some hens and sheep. We have some needs such as corn and clothes. I walk one hour to get to the feeding program. Four of my siblings are enrolled in the feeding program and we enjoy being part of it. Thank you for taking time to read my history.

With many blessings,

Angel Danilo Garcia Ruiz

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