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.

It is a great joy in my heart to greet you through this hoping our Lord is blessing you! This is Rudy David de la Cruz Riz. I am turning 10 years old soon. I was born on November 16,2014. I am in second grade, and I am repeating my grade this year. I enjoy playing with my spinning top. My favorite color is red, and I love sheep. The food that I like to eat the most is fried chicken. My family and I attend Assembly of God Emanuel Church. My father´s name is Camilo de la Cruz and my mother´s name is Bacilia Riz Riz. My father is in The United States now. He is working as a gardener. He sends money to cover our expenses, but it is a only small amount because he needs to finish paying the debt that he incurred to pay for his travel. My mother is at home, and she takes care of us. We live in our own house. Our grandmother and one of our cousins live with us. 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. We live 1 hour away from the feeding program. We need to pay a tuk - tuk to get there.

Many blessings,

Rudy David de la Cruz Riz 

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