My Story

Hello!

I am Veronica Leticia Garcia Chingo and it is a blessing for me to write this letter to you. Let me tell you that I just turned 13 years old on August 9th. I am in fifth grade again, and currently, I receive face-to-face classes from Monday to Friday. Fortunately, I am learning my lessons well. I usually help my mother to clean our house after coming home from school. She keeps busy preparing our meals and taking care of my siblings and me. Besides that, she looks after her two sheep. My father makes a living in the field and strives every day to cover our essential necessities like food. We spend good moments at home, and sometimes, my parents buy something delicious to share with my siblings and me. During the Christmas season, we usually prepare tamales (this is a typical dish) to share and celebrate our Savior’s birth. We are members of the Catholic Church, and my mother has the privilege to serve as a secretary at the church directive. Despite the tricky months of the pandemic, our church did not stop working and kept its services behind closed doors. Nowadays, it is open again, and we walk for 30 minutes from where we live to be there.

 We do not own a house, but one of my maternal uncles allows us to live in his house, and we do not pay rent. My maternal grandmother also lives with us, and we share the expenses with her. The house is made of concrete block walls, tile roof, and concrete floors. It has three rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. Covid-19 affected our economy because there were not always work opportunities in our town. However, God has never left us alone, and we have been able to subsist. Also, my whole family and I are healthy. Living Water closed its doors for several months to avoid spreading the virus among children. What I missed the most about attending the feeding program was eating delicious lunches like fried chicken. Fortunately, this is open again, and my siblings and I usually walk for 20 minutes from my home to be there. Finally, let me tell you that my mother gave this information to an evangelism team member to share with you my last news. Besides saying goodbye to you, I want to express my gratitude to you for supporting many people in need like my family and me. May God multiply all your goods and pour out bountiful peace and love upon your family and you!

Many kisses and hugs,

Veronica Leticia Garcia Chingo

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary/Antigua