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.

Hello, I am so excited to share my information in this opportunity! My full name is German Matias Gutierrez de la Cruz. I was born on July 25^th of 2020, in Joyabaj, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 5 years old. My father´s name is Walter Alexander Gutierrez Gutierrez. He works in a hardware store and provides for our home needs. My mother´s name is Marta de la Cruz Barrera. She usually stays busy with the housework and raises hens, turkeys and pigs. I have only one brother. Thankfully, my family is in good health. As for me, well, I was having nosebleeds some time ago; my parents took me to the doctor and nowadays, the nose bleeding is not frequent.

I am still not attending school because I am too young. So, I stay at home and I like to play with my toy cars. I love the color green, and the animal I like the most is the cow. I like the meals made with different tomato sauces. My family and I attend Liberty Church from Living Water. We do not have our own house, and thankfully, my grandpa has allowed us to live in his house. My grandpa and uncles also live there. There are four rooms and a kitchen. It is an adobe house with a tin sheet roof and a cement floor. We have running water and electricity; my parents contribute to pay for them every month. As a family, we pray for the resources to improve the place where we live; it is the greatest need for us. I am so grateful for the support I receive through the feeding program; I walk ten minutes to arrive. I am attending alongside one of my neighbors. Well, this is all for now, but I would like to hear news from you very soon. Every kind of blessing over you!

Lots of love,

German Matias Gutierrez de la Cruz

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