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 Indians who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak an Indian 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! This is Leonardo Ismael Chingo Perez. I was born in Aldea Chuchuca, Zacualpa Quiche on May 19, 2016. I am now 8 years old. This year I attend first grade at school. My hobby is to play ball. I like cows and my favorite color is blue. I love eating rice with chicken. I live happily with my parents, five brothers and four sisters. Fortunately, my family and I are doing well. My father´s name is Gregorio Chingo de Leon. He works hard to provide for our family; he is a construction helper. My mother´s name is Ana Perez Rodriguez. She is a housewife and grows coriander, onions and tomatoes to sell and get more income. She also raises hens. My grandma lives with us. We have some cats.

We are members of the Catholic Church. My father is the owner of the house in which we live; there are two rooms made of wooden boards, a tin roof and a floor that is just dirt. The kitchen is separate. We have running water and electricity; my father and one brother pay for those. We are a big family and the greatest needs at home are groceries and corn. I am so happy to attend the feeding program alongside my siblings; I walk 5 minutes to arrive there. Thank you for reading my information. This is all for now. Many and rich blessings over you!

Bunch of hugs,

Leonardo Ismael Chingo Perez

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