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 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 Quiché is always a challenge.

It is my pleasure to greet you and I want to share a little bit about myself. My name is Dilan Gael Garcia. I was born on October 16, 2021, and I turn 4 years old this year.  Let me tell you that my father traveled to the United States when my mom was pregnant with me and could not legally recognize me. He is still living and working in USA; he works in construction and communicates with us. His name is Rogelio Garcia Chingo. My mother stays busy with the household work and also cooks “tamales” (a typical food) to sell and get income. She also raises hens and turkeys. Her name is Catarina Garcia. For now, I live with my mom, one brother and three sisters.

Due to my young age, I am still not attending school this year. My hobby is to play with marbles at home. I love the color red, and the animal I like the most is the dove. Spaghetti is the meal I love the most. Fortunately, my family and I are doing great. We are members of the Prince of Peace Church. Thanks to God, we live in our own property, and my grandma is living with us. There are two rooms with a separate kitchen. It is a humble house made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. There is running water, but no electricity. Fortunately, one aunt shares electricity with us. My mom is in charge of paying for those services. Our essential needs are groceries and corn. My parents want to improve our floor and we are praying for resources to complete the project. Could you please join us in prayer? It is a great blessing for me to be enrolled in the feeding program; I walk for 20 minutes to arrive. I have to say goodbye now, but I want to thank you so much for reading about me. May God bless you wherever you go!

Lots of love,

Dilan Gael Garcia

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