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 Jennifer Griselda Barrera Chingo. I was born on March 17, 2012, and I am 11 years old now. This year I am in 5^th grade at school. I like the color pink, and my favorite animal is the cow. Fried chicken is my favorite meal. I like to play tag with my siblings. I live with my parents, two brothers and one sister; we are healthy. My father´s name is Carlos Barrera Morente. He makes a living by farming the land; however, he goes to cut sugar cane or coffee beans on the coast to support the family. My mother´s name is Juana Chingo Gomez. She works as a weaver and contributes to the income. She also raises hens.

We attend a Christian Church. Since we do not have our own house, we live in my maternal grandparents’ house. There are three rooms made of adobe walls with a roof made of tin sheets and a floor that is just dirt. We use two rooms, and the kitchen is separate. There are running water and electricity services; my parents pay for them. At the moment, we are in need of groceries and beds. I live away from the feeding program and I must walk one hour to get there. My mother Juana Chingo provided my personal information to the Living Water staff for my registration in the program. This is all for now. May God bless you wherever you go!

Kisses and hugs,

Jennifer Griselda Barrera Chingo

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