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! It is a great blessing to write this letter for you. My full name is Sherlin Vanesa Mishel Gutierrez Ajqui and I am 9 years old. I was born on May 11, 2015. Thankfully, I am in good health. I am in fourth grade and my favorite color is pink. In my spare time, I love playing basketball with my friends. My favorite food is spaghetti and I love rabbits. I live with my mother, stepfather, and siblings. I have one brother and one sister. I am the middle child in my family. Maria Isabela Ajqui Mendez is my mother’s name. She makes a living as a waitress in a place where they prepare and sell typical food. Fernando Garcia Gomez is my stepfather’s name. He works as a tuk-tuk taxi driver. As for my biological father, let me tell you that he abandoned our family and me six years ago. His name is Emanuel Gutierrez Gutierrez. We know nothing about him.

My family and I attend a Christian Church called Pentecostal United. We live in a rented house, so my stepfather pays Q350.00=$45.36 monthly. The house is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. It has three rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity and running water. My stepfather also pays for the services. We are a needy family and some of our priorities are corn, groceries, clothes, and shoes. My brother and I feel blessed for being part of LW-Adopt a Child. We usually walk 20 minutes from where we live to get there. It is time to say goodbye, but I send you all my love. I hope you can share a little about your life with me soon.

With many blessings,

Sherlin Vanesa Mishel Gutierrez Ajqui

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala