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 labor. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value.  Life in Quiche is always a challenge.

Hello everybody! This is Miguel Angel Riz Cuin, and it is a blessing to share with you a little about my life. I was born on September 14, 2020. I do not attend school because I am too young for it. I am five years old and fortunately, I am healthy. My favorite pastime is playing with my toy cars. I love eating fried chicken. My favorite color is blue. I like rabbits. I want to open my heart and tell you that my father passed away almost one year ago. His name was Julio Riz Jimon. Before his death, he suffered from a lot of fever. My mother took him to the public clinic where he received some medicines, but doctors did not give him any diagnosis.

After some days, my uncles took him to private clinic where his health problems got worst. The doctor told my family that there was nothing they could do for my father. My uncles took him back home and after one week, he died. Today, my mother is the one who supports and takes care of my siblings and me. Her name is Marta Cuin Aguilar. She is healthy and works as a farmer and a day laborer in our village. I have two brothers and four sisters. My oldest brother already works and sometimes helps my mother with a little money. He also works as a farmer. My mother is grateful for all that LW does for the families of our village, and for allowing me to be part of the feeding program. That is a great blessing!

We live about 30 minutes away from the feeding program. We usually walk to get there. My family and I live in a small house made of concrete block walls with a metal roof and a concrete floor. It has two rooms and a separate kitchen. There is no running water at home, but there is a nearby river where we get water. We carry gallons of water daily for our consumption. There is no electricity either, so we use candles at night. We raise some chickens, pigs, and rabbits at home. We also have a few dogs and cats as pets. It is time to say goodbye, but I appreciate you taking the time to read my letter. Until next time!

Kind regards,

Miguel Angel Riz Cuin

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala