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 labor. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value.  Life in Quiche is always a challenge.

Hello! I am pleased to greet you through this letter. Before sharing a little about my life with you, I want you to know that I appreciate that you are interested in my information. My full name is Pedro Luis Alexander Tiniguar Aguilar, and I am three years old. I was born on February 9, 2022. I am too young to attend school, so I stay home with my mother. My favorite pastime is playing with my toy cars. I love eating fried chicken. My favorite color is red, and I like cats. As for my health, let me tell you that I had chicken pox and a cough, but I feel much better. My mother is grateful to LW because I can receive medical attention and medicines for free. The feeding program is about 30 minutes from where I live. My mother and I usually take a tuk-tuk to get there. 

My family and I live in a humble house made of adobe walls with metal roof and concrete floors. It has one room and a makeshift kitchen in the hallway. There is no electricity or running water, but my paternal grandmother shares those services with us. My parents help her with the expenses. I am glad because my whole family is doing well. My father’s name is Manuel Tiniguar Gonzalez. He makes a living as a mason’s helper. On the other hand, my mother keeps busy doing the chores. Her name is Sebastiana Aguilar Nas. She also embroiders typical blouses to contribute to the household expenses. I am the only child in my family at the moment. It is time to say goodbye, but I hope to hear from you soon. Have a blessed day!

Sincerely yours,

Pedro Luis Alexander Tiniguar Aguilar

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala