My Story

Zacualpa is a small but busy village in a mountain valley.  The village is inhabited by both Quiché Indians and Ladinos (those with mixed European ancestry). The prevalent language is Spanish.  Families in this village live in one or two room homes generally constructed of either wood or adobe.  Although many of the people are farmers, the village contains several small specialized stores, a body repair shop for buses, mechanics, plumbers and many other small-town tradesmen.   It also has a large open-air market which serves much of the area.  Even with all of this, the poverty level is very high and the children are very needy.

Hello! I send you my best wishes and I hope you are well when my letter reaches you. My name is Kimberly Mishel Cux Chingo. I was born in Zacualpa, Quiche on August 21, 2016, so I am 9 years old and am in good health. I am studying the 2^nd grade at school and my pastime is playing with dolls. I love yellow, and I like hens. My favorite meal is fried chicken. I have four brothers and three sisters and two of them are part of this project. We walk ten minutes to arrive at the Feeding Center.

I live under my parent`s care. My father`s name is Jose Armando Cux Calachij and my mother`s name is Maria Chingo Chingo. She does the chores at home. Moreover, she raises hens and pigs to sell. In addition, she washes clothing for others to earn some money to support my father with the home expenses while he is working as a day laborer in order to sustain our family financially. I am thankful with God because my family is in good health. My father owns the house in which we live. We have one room made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floors. We also have a separated kitchen made of tin sheets. We get water from one artisanal well. My grandparents share the electricity with us and they share the monthly payment with my father. We have hens and pigs at home, but we would like to have some chicks, and thank God, we have enough space at home for them.  We are a humble family and our current needs are groceries, corn and clothing. We belong to the Catholic Church. Well, thank you for reading my personal information. Blessings to you in Jesus’ name!

Kisses and hugs,

Kimberly Mishel Cux Chingo

Translated by:  Gladys Chavez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua