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.

It is a beautiful day to greet you in the name of Jesus and introduce myself. My full name is Javier Elias de Leon Gomez. My birth date is September 12, 2021, and I recently turned 4 years old. I live happily with my parents, four brothers and one sister. My father works making mechanical and artisanal wells; fortunately, he provides for our home needs. His name is Francisco de Leon de la Cruz. My mother is a stay-at-home mom and stays busy with the chores and raises hens and ducks. Her name is Maria Gomez Calachij. Our pets are dogs.

I am not attending school because of my young age. So, I spend my time at home and I like to play with my toy cars. I love the color green, and the animal I like the most is the rabbit. My favorite meal is fried chicken, and sometimes I receive it in the feeding program. My family and I attend the Assembly of God. My father owns the house in which we live; there are four rooms and a kitchen. It is a humble house made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a cement floor. We have an artisanal well where we get water. We have electricity, and my father pays for this service. Our greatest needs are groceries. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of the feeding program; I attend alongside my siblings, and we walk for thirty minutes to arrive. I appreciate so much that you stopped to read about me, and I would like to hear news from you. Many and rich blessings!

Special hugs,

Javier Elias de Leon Gomez

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