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 Indians who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak an Indian 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! I am Rolando de la Cruz Pastor. My birthdate is July 17, 2012, which makes me 12 years of age now. This year I am repeating first grade at school. I like animals, especially dogs. My favorite color is blue. The food I enjoy eating is rice and black beans. I live with my mother one brother and three sisters. Thanks to God, my family and I are in good health. My father´s name was Miguel de la Cruz Garcia. Unfortunately, he passed away many years ago. My mother´s name is Santos Toj Calachij. She works hard since she is a single parent; she does day labor work and raises hens to sell to get more income. She gets worried because sometimes she does not find a job.

We attend the Full Gospel Church. We live in our property; there are three rooms and we use one as a kitchen. The house is made of adobe, a tile roof and a cement floor. We do not have running water or electricity; we use candles to get light, and we bring water from a natural spring nearby home. We are a very humble family and what we need the most are groceries and clothes. I like to attend the feeding program; I go alongside my siblings and we walk one hour to arrive to the program. For now, that is all and I hope to hear news from you very soon. Many and abundant blessings over you!

Warm regards,

Rolando de la Cruz Pastor

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