My Story

Hello! I feel so happy to share with you a little about me. I hope you are in good health. My name is Miriam Elizabeth Soto Xar, and I am fifteen years old. This year, I returned to attend school, and I am in the seventh grade. I am receiving face-to-face classes twice per week, and the teachers assign study guides to do at home. I have internet at home because I have to use WhatsApp. The feeding program was closed for a time, and I missed attending it and the food. Fortunately, the program is open again, and I can meet with my cousins; I like to have fun and eat delicious food. Sadly, my father passed away some years ago. My mother continues working in a tobacco factory and is supplying our needs. We go out to walk to have fun. The pandemic affects us a lot because the work decreased, but thank God, my mother looks for a way to buy our food.

We received groceries from the feeding, and when they delivered the bag, we felt happy because all of it is necessary. On Christmas, we prepare ¨tamales and ponche¨ (typical dish and hot fruit drink). We burn firecrackers, and if my mom can, she buys us some clothes. At the moment, we are not attending a church. We rent a house which is made of adobe, tin sheet roof and ceramic floor. We have two rooms and a separate kitchen. We do not have running water or electricity because the house owner does not want to do the paperwork. Our neighbor gives us electricity, and we carry water from the public water tap. Our needs are food and school fees. Fortunately, we are in good health. I want you to know that my aunt gave this information about me. I say goodbye to you for now. I thank you for taking the time to read my letter. May God bless you richly!

In Jesus name,

Miriam Elizabeth Soto Xar

Translated by: Esther Hernández, AAC Secretary/Antigua