My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult. 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 have 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 Quiché is always a challenge.

It gives me great joy to be able to share a little about myself through this letter. My name is Sara Magdalena Riz Sicajau; I am 5 years old. I was born on January 18, 2019.  I enjoy playing dolls. The animals that I like the most are cats and dogs. My favorite color is pink. I like to eat noodle soup. I am in good health. This year, I am attending kindergarten at school. I have three siblings and two of them are part of the feeding program. My father’s name is Sabino Riz Jimon, and he works as a farmer and also as a day laborer to support our family. My mother, Sebastiana Sicajau Luis stays at home taking care of us and doing her chores. We attend a Methodist church called Salvation Rock.

My family and I live in my parents’ house. There are three rooms and a separate kitchen. The house is made of adobe and tin sheet, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We do not have running water so we draw it from a well with jars. We do not have electricity either, so we use ocote and candles for lighting. Our main needs are groceries, clothes and shoes. I walk about one hour to come to the feeding program. My mother helped me to give my information. My family and I are well. I say you good bye for now and I hope to hear from you soon.

With much love

Sara Magdalena Riz Sicajau

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary