My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiche, 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 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 Quiche is always a challenge

 I am so excited to share a little of my history with you. My name is Keily Gabriela De La Cruz Riquiac and I was born on March 19, 2015. I am 9 years old. I am in third grade. I love playing with stuffed dolls and other toys. My favorite color is pink, and I love cats. I have a favorite food and it is beans with cheese. By the grace of God, we are in good health, and we are members of a Christian Church. My father´s name is Henrry Gabriel De La Cruz Cuin. He has his own blacksmith shop. My mother´s name is Marta Alicia Riquiac Panjoj. She sells fruit in Zacualpa and Estanzuela towns. We live in my paternal grandmother´s house. We have three rooms and a kitchen. The house is made of adobe walls with a tin sheet roof and concrete floor. Thankfully, we have running water and electricity. My parents pay for these services.  We have some hens at home. We are a family in need and some of them are groceries. We walk 30 minutes to get to the feeding program. Thank you for taking your time to read my history.

Many Blessings,

Keily Gabriela De La Cruz Riquiac

Translated by: Magnolia De Torres / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala