My Story

Zacualpa is a small but busy village in a mountain valley. The village is inhabited by both Quiche Mayans and Ladinos (those with mixed European ancestry). The prevalent language is Spanish. Families in this village live in one or two room homes generally constructed of either wood or adobe. Although many of the people are farmers, the village contains several small specialized stores, a body repair shop for buses, mechanics, plumbers and many other small town tradesmen. It also has a large open air market which serves much of the area. Even with all of this, the poverty level is very high and the children are very needy.

Hello! This is Isaura Estrella Lucero Benito Riz and I am so happy to share a little bit about my life with you. I was born on September 28, 2020. Fortunately, I am a healthy 4 year-old-girl. I do not attend school at the moment because I am younger. My favorite pastimes are playing with my dolls, pretending to cook with my toys, and playing ball with my younger sister. I only have one sister. I love cats and my favorite color is white. My mom prepares delicious food, but what I enjoy eating the most are fried chicken and sausages. I live with my parents, sister, grandparents, and one of my uncles, on my mother’s side. My father is Aurelio Benito Calachij. He works as a farmer and mason’s helper to support our family needs. Gricelda Riz Cux is my mother’s name. She makes a living as a domestic employee to help my father with the expenses at home.

About my grandparents, let me tell you that my grandfather, Victoriano, works as a barber and my grandmother, Isaura, takes care of my sister and me. She sometimes weaves typical clothes to help my grandfather with her income. Thankfully, none of my family is sick. We do not attend any church at the moment, so I beg you to pray for us. We live at my grandparents’ house. It is made of adobe with tile roof and concrete floor. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water that we get from a nearby spring. My parents help my grandparents to pay the electricity service monthly. We raise some chickens at home for our consumption. We are a low-income family, so our priorities are groceries, clothes, and shoes. I want you to know that I am so happy for being part of LW-Adopt a Child. My house is 15 minutes far away from the feeding program. To get there, my uncle and I walk or take a tuk-tuk. Well, it is time to say goodbye, but I send you many kisses and hugs. Until next time!

From the bottom of my heart,

Isaura Estrella Lucero Benito Riz

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala