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. 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 have 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.

It gives me great joy to be able to share a little about myself through this letter. My name is Oscar Vitalino Jimon Lopez; I am six years old. I was born on August 28, 2018.  I enjoy playing soccer and toy cars. My favorite animal is the dog. I love the color red. I like to eat pepperoni pizza. I am in good health. This year, I am attending the kindergarten at school. I have five siblings, and three of them are part of the feeding program. My father’s name is Vitalino Jimon Tebalan. He has two tuc-tucs, and it helps him to support our family. My mother, Maria Lopez Ventura, stays at home taking care of us and doing her chores. She also spends time raising hens. Sometimes, she works as a seamstress to earn a little money to help with their expenses. We live in our own house which is made of three adobe rooms, tile roof and cement floor. We have running water and electricity but not a separate kitchen. My mother cooks in the hallway. My grandmother lives with us too her name is Maria Tebalan. Our main needs are groceries. It takes us 5 minutes to get to the feeding program. My family and I attend a Methodist church called “rock of salvation”. We are grateful for the support that I have been receiving through the feeding program.

With much love

Oscar Vitalino Jimon Lopez

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary