My Story

Hello! Let me begin by thanking you for taking the time to read my update. I want to tell you that I walk for thirty-five minutes to arrive to the feeding program. I am Ciriaco. I am 9 years old and I will have my birthday in October. I take classes in my village and I am a second-grade student. I am repeating my grade. My school is about twenty-five minutes away from my home. I love Drawing but Language and Mathematics is a little difficult for me. Actually I have to go to my school to take my homework and leave the tasks that I have already done. In this way I can continue with my studies. I like to play ball and listen to music. After help my mother at home.

The people who live in the house are my mother, a sister and me. My mother´s duties are taking care of us and doing the housework. She goes to wash clothes or clean houses for people in order to get money for our needs. Moreover she raises domestic animals for selling. My biological father abandoned my mother when she was pregnant with me. Then I had a stepfather but he no longer lives with us. He was treating us badly and my mother decided to separate from him. Moreover he is an alcoholic. My family and I are members of Catholic Church, and for now we take time to pray at home. I am grateful to God because we all are in good health. In spite of the hard health situation that we are currently facing in our country, our Lord has been taking care of us. We trust in our Lord's mercy and that He will put His healing hands over all people who are suffering during this pandemic. I would like to receive a letter from you and have the opportunity to share our life experiences with each other.

God bless you!

Ciriaco Garcia Simaj

A-A-C NOTE: After the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in our country (March 13, 2020), our President ordered the closure of all the schools in order to prevent children becoming affected by this virus. We do not know when the schools will open again. However, most of the schools are assigning homework to their students to cover the content for the current school year. As a team, we are praying that God takes control of this situation soon so that we may continue on with our lives.

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