My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult. Most families live in one-room adobe houses with dirt floors and a small, attached kitchen. The extremely poor live in houses made of corn stalks. In the past few years, electricity and water have become available to most people in the area - however, indoor plumbing is very rare. Most of the families are farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value.  Life in Quiché is always a challenge.

I cordially greet you with gratitude for giving me the opportunity to share a little bit of myself through this letter. My name is Yasmin Karina de la Cruz Lopez, and I am now 6 years old. I was born on February 10, 2018. I am a kindergarten student. In my spare time, I enjoy playing dolls. My favorite color is pink. I love the rabbit and the meal that I like the most is eggs. My family consists of 4 people. My father’s name is Martin de la Cruz Coj. He struggles to support us working as a blacksmith, and in this way, he supports our family. My mother is Lidia Esperanza Lopez Mucia, and she is a housewife and spends her time taking care of us. We have the privilege to be part of the Liberty Church in Chixocol. We are in good health.

I live with my family in my grandparents’ house. There are six rooms but we use only four and a separate kitchen. The house is made of block and adobe walls, tin sheet roof and cement floor. We have running water and electricity.  Our main needs are groceries. I walk about 10 minutes to come to the feeding program. My mother helped me to give my information. I say goodbye until a new opportunity. God bless you!

With much love

Yasmin Karina de la Cruz Lopez

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary