My Story

Chuchuca, where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, 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 Quiché Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiché - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

Hello! My name is Abraham Rodriguez Ordonez. I was born on May 2, 2012, and I am an 11-year-old healthy boy. I am in 5^th grade this year. I like to play ball and also go out to collect grass for our domestic animals. The color I like the most is blue, and my favorite animal is the cow. I love eating chicken broth and eggs with black beans. I live with my mother, one brother and three sisters; thankfully, we are in good health. My mother´s name is Martha Ordonez Coj. She does the housework and weaves typical blouses to sell to supply our home needs. Furthermore, she raises hens and pigs, and she also goes to work as a day laborer 3 or 4 days per week with our neighbors. My father’s name is Genaro Rodriguez Garcia. Unfortunately, he abandoned us about a year ago and has another partner. He works as a farmer, and day laborer and goes to work on the coast, but we do not receive any support from him or communicate with him.

We are members of the Catholic Church. We live in a rented house; the monthly payment is Q200.00 = $27.00. The house belongs to one of my mother´s brothers. We have one adobe room with a tile roof, and a dirt floor. The kitchen is separated. There are running water and electricity services, and my mother pays them. We are a needy family and the priorities for us are groceries, corn and the rent payment. I live an hour and 20 minutes away from the feeding program by walking. My mother Martha Ordonez provided my personal information to the Living Water staff for my registration in the program. Take care. Every blessing to you!

Lots of love,

Abraham Rodriguez Ordonez

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