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.

It is a beautiful day to say hello to you and I trust in our Lord that you are doing great! My full name is Ashly Paola de la Cruz Riz. My birthdate is October 16, 2021, and I am now 4 years old. I live with my mom and siblings. Camilo de la Cruz is my father and he is in the United States. Unfortunately, he stopped working because of the snowstorm that affected the USA and was unable to send us financial support. He calls us at the end of the month. He was growing grass for cattle. We prayed for my father so that he would start working again. It was a hard time as a family. Bacilia Riz Riz is my mother and she is a housewife. Moreover, she raises hens and turkeys to sell to get income. I have four brothers. I am in Pre-Kindergarten this year. I enjoy playing with my dolls. I love eating sausages. The animal I like the most is the dog, and I love the color purple. My family and I are attending the Emanuel Assembly of God Church.

We are so blessed to live on our own property; my mom owns the house. There are two adobe rooms with a tin sheet roof. One room is a dirt floor and the other is a cement floor. We have a kitchen. We have running water and electricity services. My father usually pays for those services. The water is paid once a year, and the electricity is paid monthly. For now, our greatest needs are groceries and corn. It is a great blessing for me to be enrolled in the feeding program. Although I have to walk for about 30 minutes to arrive at the bus station, then take a microbus for five minutes and then walk for five minutes more to finally arrive at the program. I attend alongside my siblings, and we pay Q3.00 = $0.40 each for the bus. As for health, let me tell you that we are so blessed to be fine. My mom has a lump on her head and received medical care at LW´s clinics and she feels better now. She suffers from gastritis, and at the moment, she feels very well. Besides that, we are doing well. That is all for now and I would like to hear news from you very soon. Many and rich blessings over you!

Best wishes,

Ashly Paola de la Cruz Riz

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