My Story

Cuatro Caminos "four roads", 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 a two hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa. Cuatro Caminos is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major crops. The Quiche Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan 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! How are you? I am writing this letter to tell you about me. I am Elsa Susana Ruiz Ajqui, and I am 3 years old. I was born on February 13, 2021. I am in good health, and I do not attend school yet due to my age. My personal tastes are fried chicken, the color pink, and cats. I love playing with my dolls in my free time. I only have one brother. I attend Prince of Peace Church with my family. My parents’ names are Manuel Ruiz Garcia and Juana Ajqui Chic; they are in good health. My father works as a mason helper, and my mother embroiders napkins for selling.

We live with my paternal grandparents, and their house has three rooms and a kitchen. It is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We have running water service, and one of our neighbors provides us with the electricity; we pay her for this service. We have hens at home. I have to walk for 30 minutes to arrive at the feeding program, and my mother or uncles accompany me on my way there. I would like to ask for your prayers for us since we are always in need of groceries. In this occasion, my mom helped me to give my personal information to an Evangelism teacher. I thank you for taking the time to read my letter. May God bless you!

With much love

Elsa Susana Ruiz Ajqui

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary-Antigua Guatemala