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 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 Quiché is always a challenge.

I want to tell you that I am so happy to be able to greet you today and tell you a little bit about myself. My full name is Axel Jordany Anthony Tino Gonzalez. I was born on May 1, 2022, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am already 4 years old, and thanks to God, I am healthy. I am studying at pre-school this year. I enjoy playing with my toy cars and football. My favorite color is yellow. I like turkeys. I love eating noddles soup. I have two brothers and three sisters. Thankfully, my whole family is doing well. My father´s name is Pedro Tino Gutierrez. He left to go to the United States two years ago and he works in a fish market. He is weighing and packing the fish. Thanks to God, he calls us daily and sends us financial su,pport every week. My mother´s name is Maria Elena Gonzalez Jimon. She takes care of the house and watches over my siblings and me. She also raises hens, cows and pigs.

We are members of the Pentecostal Prince of Peace Church. The house we live in belongs to my father. It is an adobe room with tile roof and a cement floor. There is a kitchen. We have running water but no electricity. My grandmother shares electricity with us, and my parents contribute to paying the bill every month. As a family, our greatest needs are groceries. I am very happy to be enrolled in the feeding program, and I walk 15 minutes to get there. I attend the program alongside my siblings. I have to say goodbye to you for now but thank you so much for your beautiful heart for the people in Guatemala like me. May God bless you and keep you always!

With much love,

Axel Jordany Anthony Tino Gonzalez

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, A-A-C Secretary-Antigua