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.

I am so glad to share my information through this! My name is Marta Leticia Ajqui Benito. I was born on December 19^th 2017, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 7 years old and I am in good health. 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 de Ajqui. She is a housewife, and she raises hens and pigs to sell and help herself economically. I have one brother and two sisters. Thanks to God, my family is healthy.

I am in first grade at school this year. At home, I like to help my mother to wash dishes. I love the color green. The animal I like the most is the rabbit. My favorite meal is 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. This is all for now. May God bless you wherever you go!

Warm hugs,

Marta Leticia Ajqui Benito

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