My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult and somewhat isolated from the outside world. Most families live in one-room adobe houses with dirt floors and a small attached kitchen. The extremely poor live in houses made of corn stalks. In the past few years, electricity and water have become available to most people in the area - however, indoor plumbing is very rare. Most of the families are farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value. Life in Quiché is always a challenge.

Good morning, I am so excited to introduce myself! My name is Yenifer Estefany de la Cruz Chingo. I was born on November 24^th of 2017, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 7 years old. Unfortunately, my father abandoned my mother when she was expecting me and that is the reason I have only my mother´s last name. My mother´s name is Marta de la Cruz Chingo. She is a housewife and works as a maid three times per week, and she also washes clothes for other people when they call her. She also raises hens, turkeys and pigs. I have two brothers but no sisters; fortunately, they are doing well. We attend Full Gospel Church.

I am in first grade this year. I like to play with my dolls and toy dishes. I love the color yellow, and the animal I like the most is the zebra. My favorite meal is fried chicken. The house in which we live belongs to one of my uncles, and we share the house with my grandmother. There is only one adobe room with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. We do not have running water or electricity services. We have a solar panel to get light, and one of my uncles sells us the water; we bring it home with the help of a hose. My mother has to pay Q500.00 = $67 per year. As a family, our greatest needs are groceries, corn and clothes. I want to ask for your prayers for my mom´s and grandma´s health. My mom suffers from nerves and gastritis since she worries about our economy, and my granny suffers from gastritis. Due to a lack of resources, they do not visit a doctor. My mom sometimes goes to the health center to ask for some medicines. I am so blessed to be part of the feeding program; I arrive there in 25 minutes by tuk-tuk. This is all for now. Many and abundant blessings!

Lots of love,

Yenifer Estefany de la Cruz Chingo

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