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 Indians who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak an Indian 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! I am Kandy Sucely de la Cruz de la Cruz. My birthdate is April 27, 2016, which makes me 8 years of age now. This year I am repeating first grade at school. I love animals, especially goats. My favorite color is green. The tastiest food for me is eggs with black beans. I enjoy playing with my dolls at home. I live with my parents, one brother and three sisters. I am healthy and as well my family. My father´s name is Lucas de la Cruz Garcia. He does farm work and day labor to provide for our home needs. My mother´s name is Laura de la Cruz Gomez. She usually stays busy with the chores at home, and she also raises hens, goats and cows for selling and help to the income.

My mother is the owner of the house in which we live; there is only one room made of wooden boards, a tin roof and a dirt floor. The kitchen is separated. We do not have running water or electricity. Fortunately, we have a solar panel to get light, and my grandmother shares water with us. We are a humble family and our priority needs are groceries. I walk 15 minutes to get to the feeding program; I am so happy to attend the program. My family and I are member of the Prince of Peace Church. Thank you for reading my letter and I hope to hear news from you very soon. May our Heavenly Father bless you!

Bunch of hugs,

Kandy Sucely de la Cruz de la Cruz

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