My Story

Chulumal is a rural community on the outskirts of Chichicastenango. Mayan people are both beautiful and humble by nature. Chichicastenango is considered as one of the most important towns in Guatemala. It has a rich and long historic culture, and because of that it is considered as the home of the Quiché civilization (largest group of Mayan population). According to the 2012 census, 98.5% of the municipality's population is Mayan K'iche. 21% of the population speak only K'iche, 71% speak both K'iche and Spanish, and the remaining 8% speak only Spanish.

This is Alessandra Rosmery Jeronimo Mejia and I lovingly greet you through this letter. I hope you are doing well. Before telling you about my life, I want you to know that my mom helped me to give all this information to an AAC member. I was born on March 24, 2015. Thankfully, I am a healthy girl. I am in third grade and my favorite pastimes are reading the bible, painting, and drawing. I love butterflies! My favorite color is black and I enjoy eating spaghetti. The people who I live with are my parents and youngest sister who is one year and five months old. She was born prematurely and due to that, she got sick. Fortunately, she is doing well now. I am the oldest child at home. My mom is Rebeca Tomasa Mejia Xiloj. She keeps busy doing the chores and taking care of my sister and me. My father is Geovany Jeronimo Saquic. He works by delivering products of daily consumption to support our family.

My family and I attend Faith Church, although I also attend Liberty Church. We live at my mom’s house. It only has one room, and due to that, we prepare our meals outside in the hallway. The walls are made of adobe, and we have tin sheet roofs and concrete floors. We do not have electricity or running water at home. Fortunately, my grandmother lives nearby. She shares the services with us, and my father pays half of the bill. We have some hens, cats and dogs at home. Our house is well, although my parents would love to improve it someday. They are praying to pay for a debt they got. Therefore, I would love to count on your prayers for us. The feeding program is 30 minutes away from where I live. Therefore, my mom takes me there by bus and usually pays Q10=$1.28. I say goodbye to you for now, but I hope to hear from you soon.

Kisses and hugs,

Alessandra Rosmery Jeronimo Mejia

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary/Antigua Guatemala