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 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 Quiché is always a challenge.

Hello! I am very happy to share my information through this. My full name is Juan Carlos de la Cruz Riz. I was born on April 21^th, 2019, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am now 6 years old, and thanks to God, I am healthy. I attend kindergarten at school this year. I like to play with my toy cars. My favorite color is yellow and the animal I like the most is the lion. I love eating fried chicken. I live with my parents, three brothers and one sister. I am very happy to be registered in the Chixocol feeding program; I attend with my older siblings; we arrive there in 35 minutes by microbus.

My father´s name is Camilo de la Cruz. He works as a gardener and provides for our needs. He does not live with us because he left to go to the United States a year ago. My mother´s name is Bacilia Riz Riz. She takes care of the house and raises hens, turkeys and pigs; sometimes, she sells some of them. My father and siblings are in good health. In my mother´s case, she suffers from strong headaches and cannot stay outside under the sun. She has not visited a doctor because of a lack of resources. We attend Assembly of God Church. Thankfully, my mother owns the house in which we live; my grandma Santos Tzoy lives with us. There are two adobe rooms with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. There is a separated kitchen. We have running water and electricity services. The water is a yearly payment, and the electricity is a monthly payment. Our greatest needs are groceries and a stove. Thank you for reading my letter. Many and abundant blessings over you!

With much love,

Juan Carlos de la Cruz Riz

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, AAC Secretary / Antigua