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 and I wish you all the best in the name of Jesus. I hope you like to read my personal information. This is Kevin Alexander Ruiz Ventura and I was born on March 16, 2019 in Zacualpa, Quiche. I am a healthy six-year-old boy and my hobby is to play soccer. I am in kindergarten at school. I love blue color and cats. I like to eat fried chicken. I only have one brother. I am happy because I am registered in the Feeding Center. My mother or my aunt accompanies me and we walk for ten minutes to arrive there. I am thankful because my family and I are doing fine and enjoying good health. I live under my parents’ care. My father`s name is Rodolfo Ruiz Yac and my mother`s name is Maricela Ventura Chitic. My mother is washing clothing for others and she cleans houses. Moreover, she does the housework and takes care of our family while my father earns a living by driving a moto-taxi (tuk-tuk) in our village. My parents are working hard, but sometimes, it is difficult to cover every expense and we need groceries and clothing. We believe in God and we persevere in the Catholic Church. 

The house where we live belongs to my paternal grandparents, and we share it with them and my uncles. We have four rooms and one kitchen. The rooms are made of adobe walls, tile roof and cemented floors. We have running water and electricity and my parents share the payments for the services with my relatives. We have hens and chicks at home, but we would like to have more chicks. We have space for them in our house. Well, it was my pleasure to tell you about my life. I send you many blessings of God!

Kisses and hugs,

Kevin Alexander Ruiz Ventura

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