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 Sabina Simaj and I will share some information about my granddaughter. Her name is Deisy Daily Michelle Morente Simaj. She was born in Guatemala, Guatemala on November 22, 2019, and she turns 5 years old this November. Because of her young age, she does not attend school yet. For now, she spends her time playing with her dolls. She loves hens and her favorite color is pink. She loves eating rice, eggs and chicken. Deisy is happy living with us; however, she misses her mom. Deisy´s mother is Isabel Morente Simaj. She works in Guatemala City in a tortilla shop. Fortunately, she sends support to her daughter. Unfortunately, Deisy´s father abandoned my daughter when she was pregnant, and we know nothing about him. At home, we raise hens and sheep.

We attend the Church of Christ. Our house is made of adobe with a tin roof and a dirt floor. There is running water but no electricity; we use candles to get light. We do a yearly payment for the water. We are a needy family and what we need the most are groceries, corn and clothes. The feeding program is 15 minutes away from home by walking. This all for now. May God bless you!

Kisses and hugs,

Deisy Daily Michelle Morente Simaj and Sabina Simaj (grandma)

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