Jocotenango
Guatemala
Jocotenango, where your child lives, is in the state of Sacatepequez, Guatemala and is a suburb of Antigua. It is an urban environment and is inhabited by both Quiche Mayans and Ladinos (those with mixed European ancestry). Most of the children attend school, but financial hardship affects many families and forces most of the children to leave after the sixth grade. Only one out of ten children finish high school. Children in this area face temptations from gangs and drugs.
My name is Katherine Paola Del Cid Marroquin, and I hope you are fine. I want to tell you a little about my family and me. I was born on March 11, 2013, so I am now 13 years old. I am healthy girl, and I am attending 7th grade this year; in my free time, I study my lessons. I love eating noodles with meat, and my favorite color is purple. I like the capybara. I have two brothers and one sister. My father’s name is Jose Eliseo Del Cid Corado, and he works as a traffic police officer. My mother’s name is Ana Guadalupe Marroquin Aguilar, and she stays at home doing the chores and taking care of my siblings and me. She helped me with this letter.
We live in a house that belongs to my grandfather, Florentin. The house is made of concrete block with a tin sheet roof and concrete floor, and it has three rooms and a kitchen. We have running water and electricity services, and we pay these bills every month. We do not have pets at home. My home is located 30 minutes away from the feeding program, and I walk to arrive there. I am very happy and grateful to have the opportunity to be part of the program. My family and I are attending New Life in Christ Church. I would like to ask for your prayers for my family and our needs which are groceries and clothes. I say goodbye to you for now. May God bless you!
Kisses and hugs
Katherine Paola Del Cid Marroquin
Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary/Antigua Guatemala