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 Mateo Juan Carlos Luis de la Cruz. I was born on March 10, 2015, and I am already 8 years old. I am in second grade at school this year. I like the color white, and my favorite animal is the rooster. The meal I love is a hen in sauce, it is prepared with tomatoes and spices. My hobby is riding on my bicycle. I live with my mother, two brothers and two sisters; fortunately, we are in good health. My father´s name is Salvador Luis Ruiz. He lives in the United States about 3 years ago, and he works by killing chickens in a farm. He calls us once a week and sends us financial support every 15 days. My mother´s name is Dominga de la Cruz Coj. She does the housework and raises hens, pigs and goats to sell when we have some need.

We are members of the Catholic Church. We live in our property; it is an adobe house with tin sheet roof, and a cement floor. We have two rooms, and the kitchen is separated. There are running water but no electricity, so we use lamps at night. We do the water payment once per year. For now, our greatest need are groceries. I live about 23 minutes away from the feeding program. My mother Dominga de la Cruz provided my personal information to the Living Water staff for my registration in the program. Sending much love. May God bless you!

Bunch of hugs,

Mateo Juan Carlos Luis de la Cruz

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