My Story

Cuatro Caminos "four roads", where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiche, Guatemala. Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is a two hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa. Cuatro Caminos is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major crops. The Quiche Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system. 

I greet you in Jesus’ name hoping you are doing well. I am Ingrid Aracely Chiquiaj Gomez, and I am writing this letter to tell you about my life. I was born on November 18, 2017, so I am 7 years old. I am in good health, and I do not attend school yet. I stay at home, and I like playing with my dolls; in my free time, I help to bring home water in jars. My favorite color is red, and I love lions. I really enjoy eating fried chicken. I walk for 35 minutes to arrive at the feeding program, and one of my maternal aunts accompanies me there.

I was not legally recognized by my biological father, and I do not know anything about him. My mother’s name is Blanca Estela Chiquiaj Gomez, but she does not live with me because she established a new family 6 years ago and moved to live with her new parnter and their child (my little brother) in another town. She does not support me financially, and I only go to visit her on weekends. I am living with my maternal grandparents, and they cover my needs. My grandfather, Felipe Chiquiaj Gutierrez, is 55 years old, and he works as a farmer and day laborer. My grandmother, Dominga Gomez Garcia, is 51 years old, and she raises hens and embroiders blouses for selling. They are both in good health.

We live in our own house, and some uncles and cousins are living there too. The house only has one room and a kitchen; it is made of tin sheets with a dirt floor. We use candles at night, and we go to bring water from a spring to our home; it is located 3 minutes away from our house. We have hens and pigs at home. We are a humble family, and our frequent needs are groceries and clothes. My family and I are attending Assembly of God Church; thank God, everybody is healthy. I tell you that my grandma helped me to give my information to LW Evangelism team. I hope to hear from you soon.

Kisses and hugs

Ingrid Aracely Chiquiaj Gomez

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary/Antigua Guatemala