My Story

Chuchuca, where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiche, 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 crops. The Quiche Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche – however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

I greet you in Jesus’ name hoping you are well with your loved ones. I am very thankful with God for being able to share a little bit about my family and me. My name is Elmer Gustavo Garcia Barrera. I was born on August 2, 2021. I am 4 years old. My father´s name is Domingo Garcia Ruiz. He is 29 years old. My mother´s name is Maria Barrera Riz. She also is 29 years old. I have one brother and two sisters. My father travels every year to the coast from November to February. And when he comes back to the village, he works as a day laborer. My mother sometimes travels to the coast too. About or health, sadly my mother suffers from gastritis, and she does not have any treatment for lack of economic resources. My father suffers from back pain because he had a fall, and unfortunately, he hasn't bought his medicine for lack of resources. I ask for your prayers for God to provide all of our needs. All of the children are in good health, thanks to God. We are members of the Prince of Peace Church. We live in a rented room; my parents pay 500.00Q = 65.28 per month. We sleep and cook in the same room. It is made of wooden walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floor.  We do not have running water or electricity. We go to bring water from the river with jars, and we use candles to brighten the room at night. 

We raise some hens. We are a very humble family and have many needs like electricity, running water, groceries and a latrine. I ask for your prayers for God to put your peace in our hearts in the hope that He will do a miracle in our lives. I am not attending school yet because I am still young, but I will start soon. I love playing soccer with my siblings. My favorite color is red and I love dogs. One of my favorite foods is fried chicken. From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you for reading my letter and I hope you like it. I send you much love and big hugs. 

Huge hugs,

Elmer Gustavo Garcia Barrera

Translated by: Magnolia Gómez / AAC Secretary-Guatemala