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 Andrea Vilma Coj Garcia. My birthdate is December 23, 2015, which makes me 7 years of age now. This year I attend first grade at school. My hobby is playing with my dolls. The color I like is purple, and the animal I like is the cow. I love eating fried chicken, it is my favorite food. I live with my parents, one brother and two sisters. I am healthy and as well my family. My father is Juan Coj Garcia. He makes a living by farming the land and goes to harvesting coffee beans from October to December. My mother is Petronila Garcia Barrera. She tries to contribute with the income by weaving and selling typical items. Moreover, she raises hens.

We attend the Assembly of God Church. We do not have our own house, but thankfully, my grandparents have loaned us two rooms to live in their house. It is an adobe house with three rooms, tile roof and a floor that is just dirt; the kitchen is apart. There is running water and electricity services; my parents pay for them. At the moment, our priorities are groceries and beds. I live one and a half hours away from the feeding program. My mother Petronila Garcia provided my personal information to the Living Water staff for my registration in the program. Sending much love. Every blessing to you!

Lots of love,

Andrea Vilma Coj Garcia

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