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.

Hello! This is Gerson Sebastian Bernabe Naz Morales and I want to tell you a little about my life. I was born on March 4, 2017. Three months ago, I dislocated my right elbow while I was playing and jumping on a scaffold. By the grace of the Lord, I am much better now.  I am in second grade. I enjoy playing soccer, freeze tag, and ball tag games with my friends. My favorite color is blue. I love having fried chicken for my meals, and my favorite animal is the dog. I live with my parents and oldest brother. I only have one brother. Thankfully, everybody is doing well. We attend a Christian Church called Sovereign King. My father’s name is Sebastian Naz Jimon. He works as a day laborer in our village. He also cuts sugar cane at the coast for six months to earn extra money. My mother’s name is Aura Sara Morales Gonzalez. She is a domestic employee and helps my father with the household expenses. Our priorities are groceries.

When my mother goes to work, my brother and I stay home under the care of our grandmothers who usually take turns doing it. My family and I live in our own house and share it with our relatives on my mother’s side. My grandmother and two cousins also live there. The house is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a concrete floor. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. Fortunately, we have enough space to raise domestic animals at home, so we have two sheep. I live about 20 minutes from the feeding program. My brother and I usually take a tuk-tuk to get there. I say goodbye now, but I send you huge hugs. See you later!

Affectionately,

Gerson Sebastian Bernabe Naz Morales

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary/Antigua Guatemala