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 feel so happy to be able to write this letter to greet you and tell you a little about my family and me. My name is Helen Yulissa Cabrera Gomez. I was born on June 17, 2016. I am 10 years old. I am a healthy fourth-grade student. I enjoy playing with my puppy and it is my favorite animal. I love the color purple and I like to eat rice. I would like to open my heart to tell you about my father. He is Rolando Noe Cabrera Gomez but he abandoned the family three years ago. He does not keep in touch or help us in anything. I am grateful for my mother, and I pray for her health because she is the only one who supports our family. My mother’s name is Juana Ines Gomez. She works as a domestic employee. I have only one brother now. My family does not attend a church.

My mother, my brother and I live where she works as a house cleaner. There are three rooms but we only use one of them. These are made of block walls, tin sheet roof and ceramic floor. It has a separate kitchen, running water and electricity. The owners pay for it. The house is about 5 minutes away from the program. I say goodbye to you for now. I pray God pours out many blessings upon you.

With a big smile,

Helen Yulissa Cabrera Gomez

Translated by: Antigua Secretary-Lucia Gravez