My Story

Chuchuca, where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiche, Guatemala. Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is more than a two hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa. Chuchuca is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major corps. The Quiche Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

Hello! My name is Sabina Angelica Gutierrez Morente, and I am excited to share about my life with you. Before starting, let me tell you that my mother helped me share all this information with a staff member of LW. I was born on January 28, 2022. I am not enrolled at school because I am too young for it. So, I stay home and play with my dolls. My favorite color is pink. I like all domestic animals, but my favorites are rabbits. Fortunately, my whole family and I are healthy. I have only two sisters. We attend a Christian Church alongside our parents. My father’s name is Miguel Gutierrez Mendez. He makes a living as a farmer and day laborer. He does his best to cover all our needs, such as food and corn which is essential in our diet.

My mother’s name is Maria Morente Simaj. She is dedicated to caring for our family. We live with my grandparents at their house. They are my relatives on my mother’s side. We help them cover the household expenses. The house is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. We live about 20 minutes from the feeding program, so we walk to get there. I will say goodbye to you now, but I hope you found my letter engaging. Until next time!

Affectionately,

Sabina Angelica Gutierrez Morente

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala