My Story

Chuchuca, 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 more than a two hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa. Chuchuca is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major corps. 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! First, I pray the grace of the Lord be with you. My name is Heidy Garcia Calachij, and I want to share my information with you. I am a healthy 6-year-old girl. I was born on April 23, 2019. I still do not attend school, but I hope to do it soon. I stay home and play with my dolls. My favorite color is pink, and I love rabbits. My favorite food is fried chicken. Now, let me tell you about my family. My father’s name is Jorge Garcia Garcia. He traveled to the United States about two years ago. He works hard in a farm and sends us money every fifteen days. Fortunately, he keeps in touch with us. My mother’s name is Silvia Calachij Barrera. She is a housewife and raises chickens, sheep, and pigs. She sells them occasionally to contribute to the expenses.

We live with my grandparents at their house. They are my relatives on my father’s side. One of their daughters-in-law and her children also live there. The house is made of wood, a tin sheet roof, and a dirt floor. It has one room and a separate kitchen, but there is no running water or electricity. However, we use a hose to get water from a nearby stream and use candles to see at night. About our spiritual life, let me tell you that my family and I are members of a Christian Church called Assembly of God. I am pleased because I am already enrolled in the feeding program. My cousins and I like having delicious meals there. We usually walk for 30 minutes from our house to get there. This is all for now, but I want you to know that my aunt, Rogelia Garcia, helped me share all this information with a staff member of LW. See you later!

With love,

Heidy Garcia Calachij

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala