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 Quiche, 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 Quiche - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system. 

Hello! My name is Jorge Yordany Grave Ajqui, and I want to tell you a little about me. I am 4 years old, and I was born on June 23, 2021. I am in good health, and I am not attending school yet due to my age. I stay at home playing soccer and with my toy cars. My favorite color is red, and I like cats. I enjoy eating eggs with tomato sauce. I have one sister, and we are happy because we have been registered at the feeding program this year. We walk for 30 minutes to arrive at the program, and one of my aunts accompanies us there. We are a needy family, and groceries and clothes are our frequent needs. 

My father’s name is Jorge Luis Quinilla, but I was not legally recognized by him because he traveled to the United States before I was born; I only have my mother’s last name. He is working in a milk factory there, and he sends us money every month; we also keep in touch with him. My mother’s name is Petronila Grave Ajqui, and she works as a weaver to help with the income. Thank God, my family is in good health, and we are attending the Catholic Church. We live in our own house, and we share it with my grandmother and an aunt. The house has two rooms and a kitchen, and it is made of adobe with a tile roof and concrete floor. We have running water service, and we use a solar panel to have electricity at home. We have hens, a cow, a pig, a cat and a dog at home. I say goodbye to you for now.

Kisses and hugs

Jorge Yordany Grave Ajqui

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary-Antigua