My Story

Cuatro Caminos "four roads", 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 a two hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa. Cuatro Caminos is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major crops. The Quiche 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! How are you? I am writing this letter to tell you about me. I am Dominga Marleny Jesica Barrera Simaj, and I am 10 years old. I was born on July 4, 2014. I am in good health, and I am repeating 3^rd grade this year. My personal tastes are fried chicken, the color red, and rabbits. I love playing tag with my siblings in my free time. I was not legally recognized by my biological father, and I do not have information about him. My mother’s name is Martha Barrera Simaj, and she looks after us and her cows, sheep, pigs and hens. She established a new relationship with Mr. Santos Morente Portuguez, and he is my stepfather now. He left to go to the United States two years ago, and he works as a janitor in a company. We have a good communication with him, and he sends money for our needs. 

I have one brother and one sister. I attend Prince of Peace Church with my family. We live in my stepfather’s house, and it has three rooms and a kitchen. The house is made of concrete blocks with a tin sheet and concrete roof and concrete floor. We have electricity service but no running water. We use a hose to bring home water from a stream. I have to walk for 20 minutes to arrive at the feeding program. I would like to ask for your prayers for us since we are always in need of groceries and corn. I thank you for taking the time to read my letter. May God bless you!

Kisses and hugs

Dominga Marleny Jesica Barrera Simaj

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary-Antigua Guatemala