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.

Blessings in the name of Jesus! this is Jade Azucena Aguilar Villagran and I am 5 years old. I was born on May 15, 2020 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.  I am in pre-kindergarten.  I am a healthy girl and I like pink. I love dogs and my favorite food is rice and chicken meat. My favorite pastime is to watch TV. I have one brother and two sisters. My brother Antony and my cousins are part of the Feeding Center and we walk together to arrive there in about ten minutes. Sometimes my mother will accompany us. Her name is Helen Azucena Villagran Sapon and my father`s name is Jose Carlos Aguilar Flores. Unfortunately, he separated from my mother seven months ago. Currently, he lives in Guatemala City. He only calls us three times per month, but he is not sustaining the family financially. Fortunately, my mother works selling home-made snacks on the streets because she is the only one that covers our personal needs, and thanks to God, she is doing fine.

We live in my Aunt Rosa’s house. My grandmother and aunt live with us.  We have eight rooms and a separated kitchen. We share the kitchen with some relatives. The house is made of block walls, tin sheet roof and cemented floors. We have running water and electricity. Every member of my family shares the payments for those services. We are a humble family and our frequent needs are groceries. I want to tell you that we attend the Catholic Church. It was my pleasure to tell you about my life. May God bless you richly!

Strong hugs,

Jade Azucena Aguilar Villagran

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