My Story

Zacualpa is a small but busy village in a mountain valley. The village is inhabited by both Quiché Indians 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 my pleasure to share my information through this. I am Candelaria Leticia Garcia Morente. I have only my mother´s last name because my father did not legally recognize me. My birth date is August 29^th, 2015. I was born in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 9 years old and I am a healthy girl. I am repeating the second grade at school this year. I enjoy playing with my stuffed toys. My favorite color is pink and my favorite animal is the cat. I like to eat rice and beans. I have two sisters and no brothers. I attend the Zacualpa feeding program and I get there in 30 minutes by walking or 15 minutes by tuk-tuk. My mother is going to take us to the program.

My mother´s name is Cristina Garcia Morente. Since she is a single parent, she struggles to supply our needs. She sells homemade food in a school during the school year and works as a farmer and day laborer during vacations. She also raises pigs. My father is not in my life because he abandoned us and we know nothing about him. My mother and sisters are in good health. We live in my maternal grandmother´s house; there are two rooms and we use one of those. There is no kitchen, but my mother cooks outside in the corridor. The house is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a cement floor. We have running water and electricity services; my grandma and mother share the expenses. Our essential needs are groceries and corn. We attend the Catholic Church. I hope you enjoy reading my letter. Many and abundant blessings over you!

Lots of love,

Candelaria Leticia Garcia Morente

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, AAC Secretary / Antigua