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 my pleasure to greet you and introduce myself. My name is Yeny Alicia Gutierrez Morente. I was born on January 28^th of 2021, in Joyabaj, Quiche, Guatemala. I am a 4-year-old girl. My father´s name is David Gutierrez Hernandez. He makes a living as a day laborer and farmer. My mother´s name is Rafaela Morente Morente. She is a housewife and raises hens to sell to get an income. I have only one brother, and no sisters. By the grace of God, we all are doing well.

I am not attending school yet, due to my young age. I usually stay at home and play with my dolls. I love the color purple, and I like hens. My favorite food is Chow Mein. My family and I are members of the Church of Christ. Fortunately, my father owns the house in which we live and one maternal uncle lives with us. There is only one adobe room with tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. The kitchen is separated. We do not have running water, but fortunately, my grandma shares it with us. We do not have electricity service, so we use candles at night. At the moment, our greatest need is to get running water service, and we trust that our Lord will provide the resources so we can get it. I am so excited to be registered in the feeding program and get the benefits; I have to walk one hour to arrive there. I hope you enjoy reading my information. Many and rich blessings!

Lots of love,

Yeny Alicia Gutierrez Morente

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