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 Paulina Siomara Tino Barrera. I was born on May 10^th of 2016. I am now 9 years old. My father´s name is Mynor Gabriel Tino Ajqui. He makes a living as a farmer and day laborer and he is responsible for our family. My mother´s name is Sandra Marina Barrera Perez. She is a housewife and raises sheep. By the grace of God, we are in good health. My family and I attend a Christian Church.

I am a third-grade student this year. I like to play with my dolls. My favorite animal is the rabbit, and I love the color pink. The meal I love the most is fried chicken. We do not have our own house and thankfully, my grandparents have allowed us to live with them. We share the house with my grandparents and uncles. There are three adobe rooms with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. There is a separated kitchen. We have running water and electricity services; my parents and uncles contribute to pay for the bills. As a family, our greatest needs are groceries, corn and clothes. I am so happy to be registered in the feeding program and I attend alongside my aunties; we walk for one hour and twenty minutes to arrive there. Well, this is all for now. Many and rich blessings over you!

Bunch of hugs,

Paulina Siomara Tino Barrera

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