My Story

Chuchuca, where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiche, 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 Quiche Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

Hello! I am Casimira Ruiz Garcia, and it is a blessing to share a little about my life with you. I was born on December 5, 2021. Fortunately, I am a healthy 4-year-old girl. I do not attend school because I am still too young to do it. Therefore, I stay home and play with my dolls. My favorite color is red, and I love cats. Now, let me tell you about my family. I have only one sister. We attend a nearby Christian Church alongside my parents. My mother is dedicated to doing the household chores and preparing delicious meals, but my favorites are the sauces. Her name is Irma Estela Garcia Garcia. She also raises and sells chickens to contribute to the household expenses. My father works as a day laborer and farmer. He is also a woodcutter. His name is Alfredo Ruiz Mendez.

We do not own a house, but my grandmother allows us to live in hers. She is our relative on my father’s side. Her home is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. It has three rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. My father pays for the services. Please pray for us. We are a low-income family, and most of our needs are clothes and food, especially corn. Let me tell you that my mother and I usually walk for one hour from where we live to get to the feeding center. I am happy to be part of it. This is all for now, but I hope you found my information engaging. Have a wonderful day!

Kisses and hugs,

Casimira Ruiz Garcia

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala