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 Edgar Jacobo Riz de la Cruz and thank you for taking the time to read my personal information. I was born in Joyabaj Quiche on March 3, 2017. I am a healthy 8-year-old boy. I am not studying yet, but I will be enrolled next year. I stay at home and I like to play with toy cars. I love blue color and dogs. I like to eat hamburgers. I have five brothers and two sisters and two of them are part of this project. We walk to the Feeding Center in ten minutes. We live only under my mother`s care because my father abandoned us two years ago. He lives in the United States, but we do not know anything about him. His name is Pedro Riz Quino and my mother`s name is Inocencia de la Cruz Ruiz. She works as a maid to be able to support us financially. My older sister Juana Isabel takes care of us while my mother is working. We are a humble family and our current needs are groceries and clothing. By the grace of God, my mother and whole family are in good health. 

We live in my aunt`s house. Her name is Rebeca Ajqui and we share it with my uncles and cousins. We have two rooms and one separated kitchen. The rooms are made of tin sheet walls and roof with cemented floors. We have running water and electricity. My mother and aunt pay the water service yearly and every month they pay the electricity. I want you to know that we belong to Prince of Peace Christian Church. Thank you for your attention and may God bless you!

Strong hugs,

Edgar Jacobo Riz de la Cruz

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