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! My name is Diego Elias Ajqui Chivalan. I was born on November 3^rd, 2017, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 7 years old and I am a healthy boy. I attend the 1^st grade. I love football and I enjoy playing with my friends. My favorite color is black and my favorite animal is the cat. I love to eat black beans with cheese. I have two sisters. I am very happy to be part of the feeding program and I walk 30 minutes to arrive there; I attend with my sisters.

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. For now, our essential needs are groceries and corn.

Lots of love,

Diego Elias Ajqui Chivalan

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, AAC Secretary / Antigua