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 happy to introduce myself and I hope you enjoy reading my information! My name is Santa Patricia Garcia Luis. I was born on April 8^th of 2018, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 7 years old and I am in good health. My father´s name is Juan Garcia Garcia. He works in a carpentry in our village and provides for our home expenses. My mother´s name is Esperanza Luis Saloj. She is a housewife and raises hens and pigs to sell to get an income. I have only one sister and no brothers. By the grace of God, my family is doing well.

I am so happy because this is my first year at school and I am in 1^st grade. I like playing with my dolls and pretending to cook. I love the color sky blue, and I like cats. My favorite food is sausages with tomato sauce. My father owns the house in which we live and my paternal grandparents live with us. There are three adobe rooms with tile roof and a cement floor. The kitchen is separate. We have running water and electricity services; the payment for the water is once a year and the electricity every month. We are members of the Church of Christ. Our greatest needs are groceries. I am very happy to be registered in the feeding program; I get there by walking in 15 minutes. I attend alongside my cousins. This is all for now and I would like to hear news from you soon. May God bless you wherever you go!

Kisses and hugs,

Santa Patricia Garcia Luis

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