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 greet you cordially in the name of Jesus. My name is Erika Patricia Garcia Morente and I was born on September 4, 2020 in Joyabaj, Quiche. I am in good health. I am not studying yet because of my young age. I stay at home and my pastime is to draw. I like pink and I love pigs. Typical dishes are my favorite. I have two brothers and two sisters. My siblings Heily and Anderson are part of this project. We walk 10 minutes to arrive there and my older sister accompanies us. My mother`s name is Rosa Morente Ruiz de Garcia and my father`s name is Romeo Garcia de la Cruz. They are doing fine and my whole family is enjoying good health. My father works selling Mexican tacos every day in the local plaza while my mother dedicates her time to the family and does the housework. My father is the only one that supports us financially.

We live in my paternal uncle`s house and my paternal grandparents live with us. We have six rooms and one kitchen. The rooms are made of block walls, cement roofs and granite floors. We have running water and electricity and my father pays for the service monthly. Cats are our pets and because we are a humble family; we frequently are in need of groceries. We believe in God and we attend the Methodist Church. Well, it was a pleasure to tell you about my life and I hope you like to read my little story. I am sending all the best for you!

Sincerely yours,

Erika Patricia Garcia Morente

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