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! I greet you in this beautiful day. My name is Alicia Selena Gomez Calachij. I was born on March 15^th of 2014, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am now 11 years old, and I am a healthy girl. My father´s name is Jacinto Gomez Garcia. He works both as a farmer and day laborer in our village. My mother´s name is Antonia Calachij Gutierrez. She weaves typical items and does the housework. She also raises hens and turkeys. Our pet is a dog. I have four brothers and three sisters. Thankfully, my loved ones are doing well.

I am in second grade at school; I like to do my homework, and then, I like to help with some chores. I love the color pink, and I like cows. My favorite meal is fried chicken. My family and I are attending Church of Christ. My father owns the house in which we live, and my grandma lives with us. There are two adobe rooms with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. The kitchen is separated. We do not have running water or electricity services. We use candles at night. Fortunately, one of our generous neighbors shares water from a natural spring and we bring it home with the help of plastic containers. She does not request any payment. Our greatest needs are groceries, clothes and footwear. I am so grateful to be registered in the feeding program and receive the benefits; I have to walk two hours to arrive, and I attend alongside my brother. Thank you for reading my letter. I pray to God to bless you wherever you are!

Warm hugs,

Alicia Selena Gomez Calachij

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