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! I am Brenda Consuelo Gutierrez Chingo. My birthdate is January 14, 2019, which makes me 4 years of age now. Because of my young age I am still not attending school. I spend my time playing with dolls. Pink is my favorite color, and the animal I like the most is the cat. I love eating fried chicken. I have seven brothers and one sister, and fortunately, we all are doing well. Nevertheless, I was born with a squint, and my parents never took me to a specialist for help. My father is Jose Gutierrez Garcia. He does not live with us because he left for the United States to look for better opportunities and has been there about three years. He does clean work and sends us financial support. My mother is Paula Chingo Chingo. She does the chores at home besides growing husk tomatoes to sell and help herself economically. In addition, she raises hens.

My siblings and I attend the Church of Christ, please pray for my mother so that she can come with us soon. We have our own house, which is entirely of tin sheets, but it is not comfortable. For now, we are living in my paternal uncle´s house. There are four adobe rooms, but we use only one, the roof is of tile and a floor that is just dirt. The kitchen is separated. There is running water and electricity; my mother pays each month for those services. At the moment, we are in need of groceries, corn and clothes. To get to the feeding program, it takes me 35 minutes by walking. My mother Paula Chingo provided my personal information to the Living Water staff for my registration in the program. Sending much love. May God bless you greatly!

Kisses and hugs,

Brenda Consuelo Gutierrez Chingo

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