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! It is a great blessing to greet you through this letter. My name is Tereso Otoniel Luis Sac. I was born on July 12, 2021 and I am three years old. I am not attending yet. I like playing with my toy cars. My favorite color is blue and I love cats. My favorite meal is beans with eggs. I want to introduce my family. I live with my parents, my brother and my two sisters. We are members of the Methodist Church. By the grace of God, we are a healthy family. My father´s name is Isaias Luis Ruiz and he works as a day laborer. My mother´s name is Lucia Sac Mendez and she is a housewife. Thanks to God, we live in my father´s house. It has only one room. It is made of wooden board walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floor.

We have running water and my father pays it each year.  We do not have electricity, and to light the house, we use candles. We have some hens, dogs and cats. We are a poor family and have many needs and the money my father earns isn´t enough. Some of our greatest needs are groceries, clothes and corn. Two of my siblings are enrolled in the feeding program too. We feel very blessed to be part of it. We get there by walking. The Living Water Ministry is one hour and a half from my house. Thank you for taking your time to read my little letter.

Big hugs,

Tereso Otoniel Luis Sac

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