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 happy to share my information through this. My name is Greisy Yamileth Ajqui Chivalan. My birth date is July 14^th, 2015. I was born in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 9 years old, and I am healthy. I attend 2^nd grade at school this year. I like to play with my dolls. My favorite color is pink and the animal I like the most is the cat. I love eating fried chicken. I live with my mother, one brother and one sister. Thankfully, my whole family is doing well. I am very happy to be part of the feeding program and I walk 30 minutes to arrive there; I attend with my brother.

My father´s name is Elias Ajqui de la Cruz. He mostly works on a coffee farm on the coast. He works for three or four months, and then, he visits us for two weeks before he returns to his job. My mother´s name is Maria Chivalan Francisco. She takes care of the house and raises hens. Additionally, she embroiders cloth napkins to sell and get some income. We are members of the Rock of Salvation Methodist Church. Thanks to God, my father owns the house in which we live; my grandparents live with us. There are three adobe rooms, the roof is made of tile and it has a cement floor. The kitchen is separated. We have running water and electricity services; my father pays for those services. As a family, our greatest needs are groceries and corn. I appreciate you reading my letter and I hope you find it interesting. Every kind of blessing over you!

Bunch of hugs,

Greisy Yamileth Ajqui Chivalan

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, AAC Secretary / Antigua