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. 

It is a great pleasure for me to greet you through this hoping you like to read my letter. My name is Jose Joaquin Laynes Luis and I was born on May 28, 2015 in Joyabaj, Quiche. I am 10 years old and I am in 3rd grade at school. My favorite food is fried chicken. I like blue color, and I love dogs. My hobby is to play soccer. I am in good health and so is my whole family. I have two sisters and one of them is registered in the Feeding Center. I walk 10 minutes to arrive there. I live under my parents’ care. My father`s name is Jose Humberto Laynes Tipas and my mother`s name is Luisa Luis Hernandez. She works as a primary education teacher and my father works as a mason`s helper. They are trying to sustain us financially, but sometimes the money is not enough to cover every home expense. Our current needs are groceries. We believe in God and we persevere in the Catholic Church. 

I live in a rented house that belongs to my maternal grandfather and my maternal aunt pays the rent. We have five rooms and one separated kitchen which are made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and cemented floors. We have running water and my father pays it once a month. The water service he pays yearly. We have turkeys and a rooster at home. We have enough space in the house, so we would like to have some chicks. I will say good bye to you for now and may God bless you!

Huge hugs,

Jose Joaquin Laynes Luis

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