Zacualpa is a small but busy village in a mountain valley. The village is inhabited by both Quiche Mayans and Ladinos (those with mixed European ancestry). The prevalent language is Spanish. Families in this village live in one or two room homes generally constructed of either wood or adobe. Although many of the people are farmers, the village contains several small specialized stores, a body repair shop for buses, mechanics, plumbers and many other small town tradesmen. It also has a large open air market which serves much of the area. Even with all of this, the poverty level is very high and the children are very needy. 

Hello! I fondly greet you, praying the grace of the Lord be with you. My full name is Josias Caleb Tino Garcia, and I want to share a little about my life with you. I was born on February 18, 2021. I am too young to attend school, so I stay home with my mother. My favorite pastime is playing soccer. I love the color green. My favorite animals are cats. My mother prepares delicious food, but my favorite is chicken soup with noodles. She is a great housewife. Her name is Geidy Elisa Garcia Morente. While she keeps busy at home, my father works as a tuk-tuk taxi driver. His name is Josue Abraham Tino Gomez. About siblings, let me tell you that I only have one sister. My family and I attend a Christian Church called Sinai Hill. Luckily, we live in our own house. It is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a granite floor. It has two rooms, electricity, running water, but no separate kitchen. Therefore, we made an improvised kitchen in the hallway. We raise chickens and ducks at home for our consumption. As for pets, we have one lovely cat. The feeding program is about ten minutes away from our house. We usually get there on a tuk-tuk. It is time to say goodbye, but I hope to hear from you soon.  

Sincerely yours,  

Josias Caleb Tino Garcia 

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala