My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiché, 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 Quiché is always a challenge.

Hello! I am very excited to introduce myself in this opportunity. I am Joselin Vitalina Lares Sicajau. I was born on April 10^th, 2020, in Joyabaj, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 5 years old and I am a healthy girl. I am not attending school this year because I am very young. I like to play with my dolls or color pictures. My favorite color is pink and my favorite animal is the penguin. I love to eat fried chicken. I have two brothers and no sisters. Our pets are a dog and a cat. By the grace of God, my family is doing well. I am very happy to be part of the feeding program and I arrive there in 30 minutes by moto taxi; my mother pays for transportation Q35.00 = $6.00 each time.

My father´s name is Julian Lares Velasquez. He works by washing dishes in a restaurant in the United States. He traveled there about two years ago; he calls us and sends us financial support every fifteen days. My mother´s name is Anastacia Odilia Sicajau Ruiz. She is a housewife, and she also raises hens, sheep and pigs. We are members of the Catholic Church. The house in which we live belongs to my paternal grandparents. There are three adobe rooms with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. The kitchen is separate. We have running water and electricity services; my mother pays for those services. Our essential needs are groceries and clothes. I appreciate so much that you are taking the time to read my letter. May God bless you wherever you go!

Kisses and hugs,

Joselin Vitalina Lares Sicajau

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, AAC Secretary / Antigua