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.

I fondly greet you, hoping you are doing well. My full name is Melany Sabina Ruiz Ventura and I want to tell you a little about my life. I was born on October 14, 2020. I am 4 years old and because of my age, I still do not attend school. So, I stay home with my mom playing with my dolls. My favorite color is pink and I like having black beans and hard-boiled or scrambled eggs. I live with my parents and siblings. Thankfully, we are all in good health. My father is Esdras Otoniel Ruiz de la Cruz. He is a merchant and a photographer. Sundays are the best days for selling so he takes advantage of selling his products like threaders. My mother is Rufina Ventura Canil. She takes care of our family and does the household chores. We attend a Christian Church in our village. 

We live in our own house. One part of the house is made of concrete blocks with a tin sheet roof, while the other is adobe with a tile roof and a granite floor. It has four rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. My family and I raise a few chickens at home for our consumption. As a low-income family, our needs are many. The most demanding are groceries, shoes, and clothes, so please pray for us. I live about 20 minutes from the feeding program. I usually get there on foot with my mom. I say goodbye to you now, but I thank you very much for reading my information. See you later!

With much love,

Melany Sabina Ruiz Ventura

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary/Antigua Guatemala