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 share my personal information with you! My full name is Karina Yesenia Chingo Garcia. I was born on December 27^th of 2016, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am an 8-year-old girl. My father is Taviano Chingo Gomez. He makes a living tending his grocery store and he is responsible for our needs. My mother is Odilia Garcia de la Cruz. Unfortunately, she abandoned us about a year ago and we know nothing about her because she does not communicate with us. We raise hens and a cow. I have two brothers and one sister; my father takes care of us. Fortunately, we all are in good health. I am so happy because my loved ones and I are in good health.

I am a second-grade student this year. I like to play tag with my cousin. I love the color pink, and the animal I like the most is the rabbit. The meal I love the most is beef tacos. We are attending Catholic Church. My father is the owner of the house in which we live in; there are four rooms with a separated kitchen. The house is made of blocks, cement roof and a ceramic floor. We have running water and electricity services. The electricity payment is monthly, and the water is yearly. At the moment, our greatest needs are groceries. I am so happy to be registered in the feeding program. I attend alongside my brother and we walk 25 minutes. Thank you for reading my information. I pray to God to bless you wherever you go!

Lots of love,

Karina Yesenia Chingo Garcia

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