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 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 Quiche is always a challenge

Hello, my name is Fredy Alexander De La Cruz Riz.  I was born on August 14th, 2013, and I am 11 years old.  I am a basically healthy little boy, but I am a boy with autism.  I have three brothers and one sister and one of my bothers also attends the feeding program with me. We live 1 hour away from the feeding program. We travel there by tuk- tuk. I live just with my mother and my siblings. My father traveled to The United States six months ago. He sends us a small economic help because he is paying the debt that he incurred to be able to travel. He is working as a planter. His name is Camilo De La Cruz. My mother is a housewife, and she takes care of the house and of us. Her name is Bacilia Ria Riz.  We live in our own house. Our grandmother and one of our cousins live there too. We have two rooms and a separate kitchen. Thanks to God, we have running water and electricity. My mother pays for these services. We have some hens. We have some needs such as groceries and corn. I am in fourth grade, and thank God, I am not repeating any grade. My favorite color is blue, and my favorite animal is the hen. The food that I like to eat the most is fried chicken. In my free time, I like to play soccer with my brothers.  Currently, we attend Assembly of God Emanuel church.

With much love and many blessings,

Fredy Alexander De La Cruz Riz

Translated by: Magnolia De Torres / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala