My Story

Hello, my name is Margarita Garcia. I am 69 years old. I was born on November 20^th, 1951. I am a widow; my husband passed away 30 years ago. I have two children; one son and one daughter. I attend a church called Betania and it is about ten minutes far away from my house. I suffer from high pressure and diabetes; I am under a medical treatment. I earn a living by selling bread in the mornings and afternoons; I earn Q150.00 quetzals (US Dollars 20) per week. My daughter, granddaughter and I are living in a rented house and we are paying Q300.00 quetzals (US Dollars 40) per month. The house only have one room so we sleep and cook in the same place. It is made of concrete floor and wood with a tin sheet roof and wood floor. We have running water and electricity and I pay these bills every month.

Unfortunately, my daughter also has health problems. Since she was 9 years old, she started to have neurological problems and was under a medical treatment for 9 years. She stopped to receive it when she turned 18 years old because she stopped walking and my husband and I did not have the money to pay her transportation. She uses a wheelchair and her health situations has gotten worse over the time, so she now depends on me completely. My daughter has a daughter who is already 9 years old and I am in charge of her because her father passed away 3 years ago. I have to take care of them both.

I have to buy insulin for my daughter and me every week; I spend Q.50.00 quetzals ($ 7) on it. My son only sometimes helps us with food because he has to cover his family’s needs too. I do my best to support my daughter and granddaughter every day, but I feel afraid because I do not know who will take care of them when she passed away; I feel that my forces are running out. Now, we are in need of groceries. I want to ask you to keep my family in your prayers.

Many blessings and hugs

Margarita Garcia

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary/Antigua