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 Sheila Maria Luis Grave and I am 4 years old. I was born in Joyabaj Quiche on February 28, 2021. I am a healthy girl and I am not studying yet due to my young age. I stay with my mother in her small clothing store and I play with dolls and soccer. My favorite food is fried chicken and I love cats. I have only one brother and he is enrolled in the Feeding Center. We walk to arrive there for thirty minutes. My mother accompanies us. Her name is Cristina Grave Luis and she earns a living by selling new clothing while my father works as a day laborer and farmer in order to sustain us financially. His name is Jorge Luis Portuguez. I am thankful because both of them are in good health.

I live in my father`s house. We have two rooms and one separated kitchen. The house is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and cemented floors. We get water from a natural spring by connecting a hose, and we use solar panels to have electricity. We have hens, a dog and cats, and we would like to have some chicks because we have enough space for them in the house. We are a needy family and our current needs are groceries and shoes. Unfortunately, my family and I are not attending any church. I will say goodbye to you for now and I send you every kind of blessing!

Sincerely yours,

Sheila Maria Luis Grave

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