My Story

Chuchuca, 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 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 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.

Hello! It is a pleasure to be able to write and tell you a little bit about me and my family. My name is Isidro Garcia Mendoza. I was born on December 2nd, 2021. I am 4 years old. I live with my parents and siblings. My father´s name is Arnoldo Garcia Garcia, and he works as a day laborer, and at the end of the year, he travels to the coast to pick coffee beans. My mother´s name is Lucia Mendoza Morente; she is a housewife and takes care of us. Also, she raises some sheep, pigs and hens. I have three sisters. Thanks to God, we are family in good health. We are members of the Prince of Peace Church. We are thankful with God because we have the blessing to live in our own house. My maternal grandparents live with us. The house has two rooms and a separate kitchen. It is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and concrete floor. Our house is very humble, but it is our home. We do not have running water; we obtain it from the spring with a hose, and we use a solar panel to brighten the house.

I am not attending school yet because I am still young, but I will start soon. My favorite animals are dogs, and I love the color black. I like many foods, but my favorite is fried chicken. We are a family with many needs and some of them are corn and groceries. I pray to God for his provision in my family. We are very thankful to be part of the feeding program; my sisters and I walk around 25 minutes to get there.  I have to say bye for now, but I hope you liked my letter. I ask the Lord to bless you from now on and forever.

Many Blessings,

Isidro Garcia Mendoza

Translated by: Magnolia Gómez, AAC Secretary/Guatemala