My Story

Hello! I thank you very much for being interested in reading my updated information in this letter. My name is Ofelia Lucia Tul Chingo. I am an 11-year-old girl. I am a fifth-grade student; I receive classes Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. I am doing well in my studies. I try to help my mother with the chores in the afternoon. During the pandemic, I missed attending the feeding program and the meals that they served us. Thankfully, the program is open again, and I am so happy. I walk about 35 minutes to get to the program. Unfortunately, my father abandoned us years ago and has another family. He calls us but is not giving us financial support. My mother is working as a maid with one of my aunts in another village and comes to visit us every month. Now, my siblings and I are under my grandmother´s care. Thank God, we are in good health.

My family and I go out to the town during the fair, and we eat something and watch the mechanical games. At Christmas, we celebrated by killing some hens and sharing a lunch with our relatives; I loved it. We attend Methodist Church, and we walk 5 minutes to arrive. While our church was closed due to the pandemic, we prayed and trusted God. However, there was a time when we felt sad. We live in our own property and share the house with my grandmother. There are two rooms made of adobe, tin sheets roof, and a dirt floor. The kitchen is separate. We have electricity, but no running water, so we get water from a nearby natural spring. For now, the house condition is good. My family is still facing difficulties due to the pandemic; it is hard to get a job. In addition, the food products increased in costs, so it is a hard situation at home. My family and I are very grateful to Living Water because they blessed us with food parcels while the program was closed. It was a big help to us since we saved some money to cover other needs. As a family our principal needs are groceries, corn and soap. Finally, I want to let you know that the LW team called us and asked for this updated information, so my mother provided it to them over the phone. I hope to receive news from you soon. I wish the best in everything you do!

Lots of love,

Ofelia Lucia Tul Chingo

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