My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiche, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult and somewhat isolated from the outside world. 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 Quiche is always a challenge.

 Let me introduce myself through this letter. My name is Mauricio Xan Tino. I was born on June 2, 2017. I am 7 years old, and I am in 1st.grade. I am in good health, and I enjoy playing with my toy cars in my free time. My favorite food is spaghetti. I love blue, and I like cows. My family and I are attending the Assembly of God Church. I do not have any siblings.  My father´s name is Mauricio Xan Tino. He left to go the United States 4 years ago. Thanks to God, he supports us economically. He works in a field; his work consists of cutting the grass.  My mother´s name is Eva Marisol Tino Mucia.  She Works at home. She embroiders typical clothes and then she sells them. We live with my maternal grandparents in their house.  The house has three rooms, but we use two of them, and a separate kitchen. It is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and concrete floor. Thankfully, we have running water and electricity services. My grandparents and my mother pay for the water every year, and the electricity every month. We have some pigs, turkeys and a cow. Our frequent needs are groceries. The feeding program is located 15 minutes aways from our house. I get there by bus. I hope you can read my letter and find it interesting.

Kisses and hugs

Mauricio Xan Tino

Translated by: Magnolia De Torres / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala