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.

Good morning for you! I am so happy to be a child of Living Water and share a little about me through this! My name is Silvia Arelis Ruiz Cuin. I was born on March 25, 2021, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I live with my mom, one brother and one sister. I am so grateful to God for blessing us with good health. Micaela Cuin Luis is my mother. She works to earn some income; she works as a farmer or washes clothes with our neighbors. She also raises hens, pigs and rabbits. Even though she is a single parent, she is a hardworking woman. Oliverio Ruiz Garcia is my father. Unfortunately, he does not support us economically. He went to work in the United States for some years, but he returned to Guatemala a few months ago. Now, he works in Guatemala City; nevertheless, he does not communicate with us or support us in any way.

I am in pre-school this year. When I am at home, I enjoy playing with my dolls. My favorite color is purple, and my favorite animal is the rabbit. I love eating noodles; it is the meal I love the most. We have a dog and a cat. We are Christians and attend the Methodist Church. For now, we live in my maternal grandmother’s house, and both of my grandparents live there. The house has three rooms and a kitchen. It is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. We get water from a well, and we do not pay for it. To get light, my parents have a solar panel. However, we pray for God to provide the resources to get electricity service, which would be better for us, since it is one of our greatest needs. We are also in need of groceries and corn. I am so grateful to be enrolled in the feeding program, even though I have to walk for one hour to get there. My mom usually takes me to the program. Well, I have to say goodbye to you for now, and I hope you have enjoyed reading my information. May our almighty God bless you!

A bunch of hugs,

Silvia Arelis Ruiz Cuin

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