My Story

Cuatro Caminos "four roads", where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiche, Guatemala. Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is a two hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa. Cuatro Caminos is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major crops. The Quiche Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system. 

Hello! This is Catarina Roxana Chingo Morente, and I am writing this letter to tell you about my life. I am 7 years old, and I was born on March 12, 2018. I am in good health, and I am in 1^st grade this year. I enjoy playing with my dolls in my free time. My favorite color is pink, and I like heep. I enjoy eating fried chicken. I have 3 brothers, and two of them are registered at the feeding program too. We have to walk for one hour and a half to arrive at the program. We are a humble family, and our frequent needs are groceries and clothes.

My father’s name is Guillermo Chingo Gomez, and he left us three years ago. He works as a day laborer, and only helps us financially when he wants to. My mother’s name is Estela Morente Aquino, and she is a housewife; she also raises hens, pigs and sheep. She established a new relationship with Mr. Juan Grave two years ago, and since that time, he has been living with us. He works as a day laborer and covers our needs. As a family, we attend Prince of Peace Church. We are living in a house that belongs to one of my uncles. It has one room made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and concrete floor, and the kitchen only has a tin sheet roof. We have running water and electricity services. We have hens, pigs and sheep at home. I say goodbye to you for now hoping to have news from you soon.

With much love

Catarina Roxana Chingo Morente

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary-Antigua