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! My name is Madelyn Gardenia Chingo Gutierrez, and I am a healthy girl. I was born on June 16, 2021, so I am 4 years old now. I am not attending school yet due to my age, so I stay at home playing with my dolls. I like the color pink, and I love cats. My favorite food is eggs with black beans. I only have one sister. I live 25 minutes away from the feeding program, and my mom accompanies me to get there. Thank God, my whole family is in good health, and we attend Prince of Peace Church. Our needs are groceries, clothes and shoes, so please pray for it.

My father is Antolin Chingo Luis, and he earns a living by working as a microbus helper. My mother is Marta Julia Gutierrez Cuin, and she is a housewife; she raises some hens for selling. We are living with my maternal grandparents, and we share the house with other relatives. The house has three rooms and a separated kitchen, and it is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We have running water and electricity service, and the whole family contributes to pay these bills. We have hens, cats and a dog at home. This is my information. I look forward to hear from you soon.

With much love

Madelyn Gardenia Chingo Gutierrez

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary-Antigua