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! this is Jose Miguel Alexander Cux Chingo and I was born in Zacualpa, Quiche on July 7, 2018. I am 7 years old and I am a healthy boy. I am studying kindergarten at school and my pastime is playing soccer and toy cars. I love green. I like baby pigs and I enjoy eating fried chicken. I have three brothers and four sisters and two of my sisters are part of the Feeding Center. We walk ten minutes to arrive there.

We live under my parent`s care, and my father work as a day laborer while my mother does the chores at home and washes clothes for others. Moreover, she raises hens and pigs to sell and get some income. Her name is Maria Chingo Chingo and my father`s name is Jose Armando Cux Calachij. They are in good health. We live in my father`s house. 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 and my grandparents share the electricity. They share the monthly payments with my father. We have hens and pigs at home, but we would like to have some chicks because we have space for them in the house. Our priority needs are groceries, corn and clothing because we are a humble family. We are members of the Catholic Church. Thank you for your attention and may God bless you greatly!

Huge hugs,

Jose Miguel Alexander Cux Chingo

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