My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiche, 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 have 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 Quiche is always a challenge.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for giving me the opportunity to be part of the feeding program. This is Elder Leanderson Farruco Coj Morente. I am 9 years old now. I was born on November 24, 2016. I am a third-grade student. I am a healthy child.  I enjoy playing football. My favorite color is blue and I love dogs. I like to eat fried chicken. Thankfully, my family is keeping well. My father is Eduardo Coj Tzoc. He works both as a farmer and as a day laborer. My mother is Ingrid Yaneth Morente de la Cruz. She stay at home doing the chores and she earns extra money selling hens. I have two brothers and one sister. They attend the feeding program too. My family attends a church.  

We live in my paternal grandparents’ house. There are three rooms made of adobe, tin sheet roof, concrete floor and a separate kitchen. It has running water and electricity. My father pays for these services. Our greatest needs are groceries and clothes. It takes me about 10 minutes walking from home to get to the feeding program. I say goodbye to you for now. God bless you and your family.

A big warm hug,

Elder Leanderson Farruco Coj Morente

Translated by: Antigua Secretary-Lucia Gravez