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. 

I send you all the best and for me it is a blessing to share my personal information and I hope that you enjoy reading it. My name is Lester Bernabe Ruiz Quino. I was born in Zacualpa, Quiche on January 18, 2019. I am six years old and I am in kindergarten. My hobby is to play soccer. I love cats and blue color. I enjoy eating fried chicken. I have only two brothers. I am happy because I am a part of the Feeding Program. I walk fifteen minutes along with my mother to arrive there. Her name is Carmelina Quino Cux and my father`s name is Bernardo Ruiz Yoc. My father earns a living by working as a farmer for others while my mother embroiders napkins to sell and also raises hens to sell and get some income to support my father with our expenses because he does not have a stable job. Sometimes, the money that they earn is not enough to cover every expense, so we are a needy family and our current needs are corn, groceries, clothing and shoes. My family and I are attending the Catholic Church and I am thankful because my whole family is in good health. 

The house where we live belongs to my father and we have two rooms and one kitchen. The rooms are made of block, tile roof and dirt floors. We do not have electricity. My grandmother shares it with us and she also gives us water. We carry it from her house in jars, but my parents pay her for the services. We also have some hens at home. It was a pleasure to tell you a little about me. I send every kind of blessing to you!

Huge hugs,

Lester Bernabe Ruiz Quino

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