My Story

Chuchuca, where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is more than a two-hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa. Chuchuca is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major crops. The Quiché Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiché - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

Hello! My name is Mauricio Gomez Mateo. My birthdate is May 31, 2013, which makes me 10 years of age now. I am repeating 1^st grade at school. I like coloring. My favorite color is red, and I like cows. I enjoy eating instant soup. I live with my parents, one brother and two sisters. Thank God, we are in good health. My father´s name is Domingo Gomez Ajqui. He works as both a farmer and a day laborer, and he also goes to pick coffee beans during the harvest. My mother´s name is Pascuala Mateo Guarcas. She stays busy with the housework, and she also goes out to sell “tamales” (a typical dish) to help herself economically. She also raises hens.

We attend the Catholic Church. We do not have our own home, but fortunately, one of our aunts is lending us hers. There are two adobe rooms with tin sheet roof and a floor that is just dirt. The kitchen is separated. There is no electricity or running water, so we use candles at night and bring water from a natural spring. We are in need of groceries at home. I walk about one hour to get to the feeding program. My mother Pascuala Mateo provided my personal information to the Living Water staff for my registration in the program. Sending much love. Many and abundant blessings to you!

Bunch of hugs,

Mauricio Gomez Mateo

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala