My Story

Chuchuca, where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, 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 Quiché Indians who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak an Indian dialect called Quiché - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

It is a pleasure for me to introduce myself through this! My name is Sonia Griselda Ajqui Benito. I was born on May 17^th of 2014, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 11 years old, and I am healthy. My father´s name is Pedro Ajqui Chic. He does farm and day laborer work to supply the home expenses. My mother´s name is Gregoria Benito Luis. She is a housewife, and she raises hens and pigs to sell and help herself economically. I have one brother and two sisters. Fortunately, my loved ones are in good health.

I am studying second grade at school. I love the color purple. I like reading in my spare time. The animal I like the most is the sheep. I love eating fried chicken. We are members of the Prince of Peace Church. We are living in my paternal grandfather´s house; we share the house with my grandma and grandfather. It is an adobe house; there are three rooms with tile roof and a dirt floor. The kitchen is separated. We have running water and electricity services. The electricity payment is monthly, and the water is yearly. Our greatest needs are groceries. I am very happy to be registered in the feeding program; I get there by walking in 30 minutes and my mom accompanies me. Thank you for reading my information. Every kind of blessing over you!

With much love,

Sonia Griselda Ajqui Benito

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala