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.

I cordially greet you with gratitude for giving me the opportunity to share a little bit of myself through this letter. My name is Wendy Pahola Ruiz Cuin, and I am now 7 years old. I was born on December 3, 2016. I am in 1^st grade this year. In my spare time, I enjoy playing soccer and dolls. My favorite color is pink and the cat is the animal that I like the most. I like to eat fried chicken. I love my parents because they do their best effort to support our family. My father is Oliverio Ruiz Garcia. He traveled to the United States three years ago; however, about two years ago we lost communication with him and he stopped sending us money. Now, my mother does her best to give us everything that we need. My mother’s name is Micaela Cuin Luis. She works as a farmer and she also washes clothes for others to earn a little extra money. My mother shares our expenses with my grandparents. My family and I attend a Methodist church called Salvation Rock. My grandparents’ names are Francisco y Margarita.

I live with my mother and my siblings in my maternal grandparents’ house. There are three rooms and a separate kitchen. The house is made of adobe and tin sheet, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We do not have running water nor electricity. We carry water from a nearby well with jars; for light, we use ocote and candles. Our main need are groceries, clothes and shoes. I walk for about 45 minutes to come to the feeding program. My aunt helped me to give my information. I say you good bye for now. I hope to hear from you soon.

With much love

Wendy Pahola Ruiz Cuin

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary