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 corps. 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 so glad to share a little bit about myself in this opportunity. My name is Carina Leticia Gomez Morente. I was born on August 24, 2017, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 9 years old and I am a healthy girl. I am attending second grade this year. My hobby is to play football. I love the color pink, and my favorite animal is the pig. I love to eat fried chicken. I have two sisters but no brothers. My father´s name is Isaias Gomez Morente. He was working in the United States, but he was deported about 9 months ago. Now, he works as a farmer and as a day laborer. He frequently goes to the coast to cut sugar cane or picks coffee beans; he does whatever kind of work people offer him. My mother´s name is Margarita Morente Calachij. She weaves typical blouses and raises hens and pigs to sell and help herself economically.

My family is in good health. We attend a Church of Christ. The house in which we live belongs to my paternal grandparents; they are living there also. There are three rooms and a separate kitchen. It is a humble house made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. We have running water and electricity; my parents and grandparents pay for those services. For now, our greatest needs are groceries. I am very happy to be registered in the feeding program; I attend alongside my older sister and we get there by walking in one hour. For now, that is all, and I would like to hear from you. Many and abundant blessings over you!

Warm hugs,

Carina Leticia Gomez Morente

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