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 has 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.

Hello! My name is Eduar Ivan Mariano Garcia Garcia, and I am 4 years old. I was born on October 20, 2018. I am in kindergarten this year, and I am healthy. My hobby is playing soccer. I like the color blue, and my favorite animal is the cat. I love eating fried chicken. My parents’ names are Victor Garcia Benito and Cristina Garcia Chingo. My father works as a farmer and day laborer while my mother is a housewife and raises domestic animals. I only have one sister. As a family, we are attending Prince of Peace Church.

We live in my grandmother’s house, and her name is Maria Chingo. The house has three rooms and a separate kitchen, and it is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We have electricity and running water services; my parents and uncle pay these bills. We have hens and turkeys at home. We are a humble family, and currently, we are in need of groceries and corn. I walk for 15 minutes to arrive to the program; I go there accompanied by one of my female cousins. I hope you find my letter interesting. May God bless you!

With much love

Eduar Ivan Mariano Garcia Garcia

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary/Antigua