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 is Ericka Estelina de la Cruz Ajqui. My birth date is September 6^th, 2018, and I was born in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 6 years old and I am healthy. I attend kindergarten this year. I like to play on the swing. My favorite color is red and my favorite animal is the cat. I love to eat fried chicken. I have one brother and no sisters. I am very happy to be registered in the Chixocol feeding program; I get there by tuk-tuk in 15 minutes; we pay Q30.00 = $4.00 each time. I attend the program with my cousins.

My father´s name is Sabino de la Cruz de la Cruz. He works as a construction assistant to provide for our home needs. My mother´s name is Yolanda Ajqui Gomez. She does the housework and raises hens. My family is in good health. However, my mother has hearing and speech problems, so I help her express herself. She was born with this problem, and because her parents did not have enough resources, she never visited a doctor. We attend a Methodist Church. The house in which we live belongs to my grandmother and some uncles and cousins also live there. There are 7 adobe and block rooms, the roof is made of tin sheets and it has a cement floor. There is a separated kitchen. We have running water and electricity services; my parents and other relatives help to pay for the expenses. Our greatest needs are groceries and a wardrobe. Thank you for reading my letter. May God bless you!

Lots of love,

Ericka Estelina de la Cruz Ajqui

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, AAC Secretary / Antigua