My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiche, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult and somewhat isolated from the outside world. Most families live in one-room adobe houses with dirt floors and a small attached kitchen. The extremely poor live in houses made of corn stalks. In the past few years electricity and water have become available to most people in the area - however, indoor plumbing is very rare. Most of the families are farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value. Life in Quiche is always a challenge.

This is Esleydeni Teresa Tiquiram Tzoy and I am excited to let you know a little about my life. I was born on March 9, 2019. I am in pre-kinder and fortunately, I am a healthy 6-year-old girl. My favorite animal is the rabbit and I like the color pink. I love having chicken for my meals, especially fried chicken. I live with my mother and brothers. I only have two brothers. We do not attend any church at the moment. I do not have my father with me because he traveled to the United States two years ago to help us economically. His name is Mateo Tiquiram Gutierrez. He makes a living by cleaning a restaurant to survive. He is in touch with us frequently. About his health condition, let me tell you that he suffers from diabetes. Fortunately, he has felt good thanks to the treatment. My mother’s name is Zoila Maribel Tzoy Simaj. She is a housewife and embroiders napkins to use at home. Fortunately, she is in good health.

We live in our own house. It is made of adobe, a tin sheet roof, and a concrete floor. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. We have some chickens and one dog at home. I ask you to pray for my family and our needs, especially for food. The feeding program is about 10 minutes from my home. We usually get there on foot. I leave you now, but I hope to hear from you soon.

With many blessings,

Esleydeni Teresa Tiquiram Tzoy

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary/Antigua Guatemala