My Story

Chuchuca, 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 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 Quiché Indians who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak an Indian 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.

I want to tell you that I am so happy to be able to greet you and tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Roberto Leonardo Riz Riz. I was born on February 8, 2022, and I am now 3 years old. Since I am very young, I am not attending school yet. I enjoy playing with my toy cars and football. I like the color brown and the animal I like the most is the rabbit. My favorite meal is fried chicken. I live happily with my parents and two brothers. I am so happy because my family and I are in good health. My father makes a living as a farmer and day laborer. He provides for our home needs; however, he does not always find work, and it is hard for him to supply our needs. His name is Jose Riz Ruiz. My mother does the household work and raises hens; sometimes, she sells them to get an income. Her name is Rosalina Riz Benito.

We are a Catholic family. Since we do not have our own house, we live in my paternal grandparents’ house, and fortunately, they do not ask us for any money. It is a humble house made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a cement floor. There are two rooms with a separate kitchen. We have running water and electricity; my parents pay for those services. The water is a yearly payment of Q100.00 about $14.00, and the electricity is a monthly payment. Our essential needs are groceries, clothes and footwear. We pray to God to allow us to have our own house one day. I am so happy to be enrolled at the feeding program and receive the benefits; my mother takes me to the program, and we walk 40 minutes to arrive. Thank you so much for stopping and taking the time to read my information. May God bless you wherever you are!

Kisses and hugs,

Roberto Leonardo Riz Riz

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala