My Story

Chuchuca, where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiche, 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 corps. The Quiche Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

Hello! My full name is Wendy Johana Gutierrez Ajqui, and I am 10 years old. Before telling you more about my life, I want you to know that my mother helped me share all this information with LW. I was born on May 26, 2015. I attend school as a second grader. My favorite pastime is playing with my dolls. I am pleased to tell you that I am learning to weave. My favorite color is pink. I love cats, and my favorite dish is rice with black beans. I live with my mother and siblings. I have three brothers and one sister. We attend a Christian Church called Prince of Peace. My mother’s name is Santos Ajqui de Leon. She is a single parent and strives to support our family. One of our greatest needs is food, especially corn. My mother makes a living by weaving typical clothes and selling beauty and nutrition products. As for her health, let me tell you that she suffers from diabetes, but she is under treatment.

I want to open my heart and tell you that my biological father abandoned us many years ago. We do not know anything about him. His name is Camilo Gutierrez Simaj. Despite that, God has been good. My grandmother loves us and thanks to her, we have a shelter. Her name is Catarina Simaj, and she is my relative on my father’s side. Her house is made of wood with a tin sheet roof and dirt floors. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. My mother helps her with the household expenses. We raise a few chickens at home for our consumption. The feeding program is about 40 minutes away from where I live. We usually walk to get there. This is all for now, but I hope to hear from you soon. Have a nice day!

Huge hugs,

Wendy Johana Gutierrez Ajqui

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala