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.

This is Lebito Oseo Mendez Barrera and I was born in Zacualpa, Quiche on August 20, 2015. I am ten years old, and unfortunately I am repeating the 2^nd grade at school this year. I like to play soccer and to ride a bike in my spare time. I love panthers and the color blue. Fried chicken is my favorite food. I only have one brother and my father takes me by motorcycle to the Feeding Center. We arrive there in ten minutes. I am thankful because my parents are in good health and we belong to the Catholic Church. My father works as a farmer and day laborer. His name is Enrique Mendez Chingo. My mother`s name is Isabel Barrera de la Cruz. She raises and sells domestic animals. She also sells beans and vegetables in the local market in order to support my father with family income. We are a humble family and we need clothing and groceries.

I live in my parent’s house and we have two rooms and one separated kitchen. The rooms are made of adobe walls, tin sheet and cemented floors. We have running water and electricity. My father pays the water service once a year and the electricity bill once a month. We have hens, pigs and goats, but we would like to have some chicks because we have enough space in our house for them. We are a humble family and we need clothes and groceries. Well, I send you my best wishes and thank you for taking the time to read my personal information. All the best for you!

Warm wishes,

Lebito Oseo Mendez Barrera

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