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.

I am so excited to share my information through this! My full name is Jaquelin Gricelda de la Cruz Pastor. I was born on February 13^th of 2018, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am now 7 years old. My father´s name is Francisco de la Cruz Garcia. He has lived and worked in the United States for about three years. He is a cook in a restaurant and thankfully, he sends us economic support. My mother´s name is Aura Pastor Morente. She is a housewife and embroiders blouses. Moreover, she raises hens and pigs, and she sells them. I have only one brother. I am so happy to tell you that my family and I are in good health.

I am so happy because I am attending first grade at school. My hobby is to play with my dolls and pretend to cook. I love the color purple and I like cats. The food I love the most is sausages with eggs. We are attending Rock of Salvation Methodist Church; we attend on Mondays and Fridays. The house in which we live belongs to my paternal uncle Julio Cesar, and thankfully, we do not pay for living there. There are three rooms with a separated kitchen. The house is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a concrete floor. There is electricity and my parents pay for it. We do not have running water, but fortunately, my great-grandmother or a neighbor shares it with us and my parents contribute to pay for it. Usually, the electricity is a monthly payment and the water is yearly. At the moment, our greatest needs are groceries. I am so happy to be registered in the feeding program and I arrive there in 5 minutes by tuk-tuk. I say goodbye to you for now. Many and rich blessings for you!

Lots of love,

Jaquelin Gricelda de la Cruz Pastor

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