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 has 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.

Good morning to you! I hope our Lord is blessing you! My name is Maria Fernanda Victoria Garcia Garcia. I was born on July 20, 2022, and I am 3 years old. I live with my family in Chixocol village; I am so blessed because my family and I are in good health. I have two brothers and no sisters. Victor Garcia Benito is my father, and he does day labor work to provide for our family. Cristina Garcia Chingo is my mother, and she usually stays busy with the household work. Additionally, she raises hens and pigs.

Let me tell you, I am still not attending school because I am very young. For now, I enjoy playing with my dolls at home. I love the color pink, and the animals I like the most are cats and dogs. My favorite meal is the fried chicken. We are members of the Pentecostal Prince of Peace Church. God has blessed us and we live on our own property; my grandma lives with us. It is a humble house made of tin sheets, walls and a roof, and a dirt floor. We do not have running water at home, but my aunt Maria Chingo shares it with us. We have to carry it in plastic containers to our home. My parents pay to her Q100.00, $14.00 once a year. We have electricity and my parents pay for it every month. At the moment, our greatest needs are groceries and corn. I am so grateful to be enrolled in the feeding program; I walk 5 minutes to arrive and my mom accompanies me. I thank you for taking the time to read my information and I would like to hear from you very soon. May God bless you!

Lots of love,

Maria Fernanda Victoria Garcia Garcia

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