My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult and somewhat isolated from the outside world. Most families live in one-room adobe houses with dirt floors and a small attached kitchen. The extremely poor live in houses made of corn stalks. In the past few years electricity and water have become available to most people in the area - however, indoor plumbing is very rare. Most of the families are farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value. Life in Quiché is always a challenge.

Hello! How are you? My name is Mayrely Yaneth Riz de la Cruz, and I was born on June 7, 2021. I am 4 years old, and I am fine and healthy. I am not attending school yet due to my age, so I stay at home playing with my dolls. I like the color pink, and I love cats. My favorite food is black beans with egg. I have three brothers and five sisters, and three of them are registered at the feeding program too; we have to walk for 10 minutes to arrive at the program. My family and I attend a church. We are a humble family, and our frequent needs are groceries, clothes and shoes.

My father’s name is Agustin Riz Jimon, and he works as a farmer with other people. Sadly, he has alcoholic problems, so he only contributes a little to the home expenses. My oldest sisters work as maids, and they are helping our mother financially. My mother’s name is Estela de la Cruz Benito de Riz, and she raises some domestic animals to help with the income; she helped me with this letter. We live in my paternal grandmother’s house, and we share it with other relatives. It has two rooms and a kitchen, and it is made of adobe with a tile roof and concrete floor. We have running water and electricity services. We have some hens and sheep at home. This is my information, and I hope you find it interesting.

Kisses and hugs

Mayrely Yaneth Riz de la Cruz

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary-Antigua