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! My name is Debora Marilina Chingo Toj. I was born on October 8th, 2020, which makes me 4 years of age now. Since I am very young, I am not attending school yet. For now, I spend my time playing with my dolls. I like dogs and my favorite color is pink. I love eating fried chicken. I live happily with my mother. Her name is Estela Toj Chingo. She doesn´t go to work out of the house because she takes care of me. She only raises hens and cows and sells them. Sadly, my father abandoned us five years ago, and we don´t have communication with him. We attend Pentecostal Prince of Peace Church. Thanks to God, we are in good health. My mother and I live in my uncle`s house with my grandmother, Paula Chingo. My uncle is in the United States, and from time to time, he helps us a little bit economically. His name is Mario Chingo. The house has one room and a kitchen. It is made of adobe walls, tile roof and concrete floor.

By the grace of God, we have running water and electricity. My grandmother and my mother pay the services. We have many needs because my mother does not earn enough money to cover everything. Some of them are groceries, clothes, beds and corn. We trust in God that He gives us everything we need. I usually walk 10 minutes to get to the feeding program and I go with my mother. I say goodbye for now, but I wish you many blessings in your life.

Lots of love,

Debora Marilina Chingo Toj

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