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! My name is Maria Estela Simaj de la Cruz, and I am excited to share my information with you. Before starting, let me tell you that my mom helped me share all my news with a staff member of LW. I hope you find it engaging. I was born on April 16, 2018. Fortunately, I am a healthy 7-year-old girl. I am pleased to tell you that I am in first grade. My favorite food is rice and beans. I love playing with my dolls, and my favorite domestic animals are sheep. I am a lucky girl because I have a lovely family. My father’s name is Manuel Simaj Gomez. He traveled to the United States about six years ago. Please pray so the Lord always takes care of him. He makes a living by working in a dairy and sends us money. He is in touch with us twice a month.

My mother’s name is Juana de la Cruz Luis. She works as a day laborer and farmer to contribute to the expenses. She also raises chickens and sheep for our consumption or for occasional sales. We are a low-income family and one of our greatest needs is food. We live in our own house. It is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. It has three rooms, a separate kitchen, running water, and solar panels. I am glad because I am enrolled in the feeding program. My siblings and I usually get together to attend it. We usually walk about one and a half hours from our neighborhood. To end this letter, I want you to know that we attend a Christian Church called Prince of Peace. See you later!

Cordiality yours,

Maria Estela Simaj de la Cruz

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala