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! My name is Neydi Anahi Araceli Ruiz Hernandez. I was born on November 10^th, 2015, in Joyabaj, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 9 years old and I am in good health. I am in the 3^rd grade this year. I like to play with my dolls. My favorite color is lilac and my favorite animal is the turtle. I like to eat chicken in tomato sauce. I have one brother and two sisters. I attend the Zacualpa feeding program and I arrive there in 15 minutes by walking. My parents can accompany me to the program.

My father is Rosalio Ruiz Aguilar. He owns a business; he rents chairs and tables for activities. My mother is Rosario Hernandez De La Cruz de De Ruiz. She does the housework. My mother and siblings are doing well. As for my father, he had a kidney surgery last year and he is still taking medicines for it. My father owns the house in which we live; the house is made of concrete blocks with a tin sheet roof and a cement floor. There are two rooms and the kitchen is separate. There are running water and electricity services and my father pays for them. The essential needs for us are clothes and footwear. We attend House of Prayer Pentecostal Church. May God bless you wherever you are!

Lots of love,

Neydi Anahi Araceli Ruiz Hernandez

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, AAC Secretary / Antigua