My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult and somewhat isolated from the outside world. Most families live in one-room adobe houses with dirt floors and a small attached kitchen. The extremely poor live in houses made of corn stalks. In the past few years electricity and water has become available to most people in the area - however, indoor plumbing is very rare. Most of the families are farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value. Life in Quiché is always a challenge.

Hello! My name is Mayra Yaneth Abigail Mendez Gomez and I attend the Chixocol feeding program. I am six years old and I was born on March 16, 2015. I am a healthy girl. I have two sisters and two brothers. I am in kindergarten. I do my homework at home, and I send it by whatsapp. I enjoy playing dolls and toy dishes. I really like to eat noodle soup. My favorite color is purple and I love the butterfly. My father´s name is Jeremias Mendez Morente, and he is in the United States since about one year ago. Fortunately, he sends us money to cover family needs. He always communicates with us. My mother´s name is Rosa Gomez Chingo, and she raises domestic animals such as hens and pigs; she sells them when she has a need. My family and I attend Prince of Peace Church every Wednesday and Friday. We have our own house which is made of adobe, tin sheet roof and cement floor. We have one room and a separate kitchen. We do not have running water, but we get it from a hose because my grandmother lives near our house and she shares with us. We have electricity. My aunt brings me to the feeding program; we take a bus van, and we take about twenty-five minutes to arrive.  

Lots of hugs with much love,

Mayra Yaneth Abigail Mendez Gomez

Translated by: Esther Hernández, AAC Secretary/Antigua