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.

Hello! My name is Karina Sucely Elizabeth Castro Pacheco and I feel so happy to share my information with you. I am 8 years old and fortunately, I am in good health. My birthdate is October 18, 2016. I am in second grade and my favorite color is purple. Some of my favorite pastimes are playing with my dolls and kitchen toys. I like making new friends. My favorite animals are rabbits and I love having fried chicken for my meals. Now, let me tell you about my family. Thankfully, nobody is sick. I have four brothers and four sisters. We attend the Catholic Church with our parents. My father is Mario Castro Sincu. He works as a day laborer and farmer. He also travels to the coast and works picking coffee beans for about two months. My mother is Juana Pacheco Panjoj. She is a housewife and raises and sells chickens and pigs at home. She uses her income to pay some expenses at home.

By the grace of the Lord, we live in our own house. It is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a concrete floor. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. My parents usually pay the electricity monthly while the water is paid annually. I ask you to pray for my family and our needs. The most demanding are groceries and clothes. We live about 10 minutes from the feeding program. My siblings and I usually get there on foot, although we sometimes take a motorcycle taxi. I say goodbye to you now, but I send you huge hugs from the beautiful Chixocol mountains. See you later!

With much love,

Karina Sucely Elizabeth Castro Pacheco

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary/Antigua Guatemala