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.

Hello! My name is Kevin Elias Gutierrez Mendez. I was born on November 10^th of 2021, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I will turn 4 years old this year and I am in good health. My father is Rene Gutierrez Hernandez. He works both as a farmer and day laborer. He also goes to work on the coast for 3 months. My mother is Rosa Mendez de la Cruz. She does the housework, and she raises hens and pigs to sell to help herself economically. I have only one brother but no sisters. Fortunately, we are in good health.

Due to my young age, I am still not attending school yet. So, I spend my time playing toy cars and football. I love the color green, and I like dogs. I love eating fried chicken. My family and I attend Church of Christ. The house in which we live belongs to my paternal grandparents and they are living there too. There are four adobe rooms with tile roof and a dirt floor. The kitchen is separated. There are running water and electricity services. The water is a year payment of Q100.00 = $14.00. My parents pay for electricity monthly. Our essential needs are groceries. I am so excited to be registered in the feeding program and I walk one hour to arrive; my mom accompanies me. This is all for now. May God bless you wherever you go!

Bunch of hugs,

Kevin Elias Gutierrez Mendez

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