My Story

Chuchuca, where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is more than a two-hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa. Chuchuca is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major crops. The Quiché Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiché - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

Hello! My name is Catarina Yohanna de la Cruz Macario. I was born on July 6^th, 2011, and I am 12 years old. This year I am attending 5^th grade at school. The animal I like is the hen, and my favorite color is pink. I love black beans. I like to help my mother with some chores at home. I live with my lovely parents, one sister and one brother; thank God, we are in good health. My father´s name is Camilo de la Cruz Hernandez. He works as both a farmer and a day laborer. Moreover, he grows husk tomatoes to sell and get more income. My mother´s name is Tomasa Macario Castro de De De la Cruz. She is a weaver and makes typical blouses to sell and help my father with the expenses. Moreover, she raises hens and turkeys.

We are members of the Catholic Church. The house in which we live belongs to my father, and my grandparents live with us. There are two rooms made of adobe and wood; the roof has tiles and tin sheets. We do not have running water, so we get it from the river with the help of a hose. The electricity, my father pays for it every month. The greatest need for us is groceries. I live 15 minutes away from the feeding program by walking.  This time the Living Water staff collected this information personally for the record, and my mother Tomasa Macario provided it. I send much love. I say goodbye to you for now and I hope to receive news from you very soon. Every blessing to you!

Kind regards,

Catarina Yohanna de la Cruz Macario

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala