My Story

Hello, my name is Maria Isabel Gallina Arriola. I am 53 years old. I was born on November 15, 1971. I was born in Jocotenango. I am married to Julian Xinic Chacon, and he is 54 years old. He works as a farmer and earns Q560.00 = 73.12 every fifteen days. I do not have a stable job, but I wash and iron clothes for other people two or three times a week. We have ten children, 5 girls and 5 boys. Four of them are already married and the other children live with us. Three of them are older, and thanks to God, two of them work in the garbage truck and help with the income at home.  They each contribute Q100.00 = $13.06 per week. We try hard but still do not earn enough to cover our needs. Thanks to God, my husband, 5 of my children and I are in good health, but my daughter Maria de la Asunción is a girl who suffers from mental retardation and convulsions. It is very difficult for her to walk for a long time, and sometimes she is aggressive. She needs to take two pills every day. Sadly, we are a family of very limited resources, and sometimes we do not have money to buy the medicines.  When we cannot buy her medicine, she convulses all day. Many times, we must get to the hospital so they can give her medication and reassure her. She does not like to be with many people. I ask for your prayers for her and all of my family please.

We live in a municipal land. The house is made of block walls, tin sheet roof with a concrete and dirt floor. The house is in a bad condition. When it rains, the water enters into the room. We do not have beds, so we sleep on the floor. We also do not have chairs, so we sit on the floor. We do not have a sink, so we use barrels to store water. Thank God, we have electricity and running water. Some of our needs are medical attention and groceries. I walk 20 minutes to get to the feeding program. Thank you very much for taking your time to read my letter.

Many blessings,

María Isabel Xinic Arriola

 Translated by: Magnolia Gómez/ AAC Guatemala