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 in this opportunity. My name is Mayra Maria Gutierrez Juarez. I was born on December 3^rd of 2019, in Zacualpa Quiche, Guatemala. I am now 5 years old. My father´s name is Geovany Gutierrez Hernandez. He mostly works on the coast picking coffee beans. He comes to visit us for a week, and then, he returns to his job. He usually stays on the coast for 45 days. My mother´s name is Maria Juarez Benito. She is a housewife, and sometimes, she weaves typical belts to sell and get an income. She also raises hens. Our pet is a dog. I have one brother and one sister. Thankfully, my loved ones and I are healthy.

I am still not attending school due to my young age, and I usually stay at home and play with my stuffed toys. I love the color purple, and I like cats. My favorite meal is tomato sauce with spices. The house in which we live belongs to my paternal grandfather; we share the house with other relatives. There are three adobe rooms with tin sheetsroof and a dirt floor. The kitchen is separated. We have running water and electricity services; my father contributes to pay for electricity. My family and I are attending the Church of Christ. We pray to God for provision to get our own house one day; it is our greatest need. For now, we are living with my paternal family and share a very small house. It is a joy to be registered in the feeding program and receive my meals; I have to walk one hour to get there. I say goodbye to you for now and I hope to hear news from you. Every kind of blessing over you!

Kisses and hugs,

Mayra Maria Gutierrez Juarez

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