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.

Special regards! I am Shaimaa Idaira Azuleemy Quej Naz, and it is a big pleasure to share a little about my life with you. I hope you like my information. Fortunately, I am a healthy nine-year-old girl. I was born on July 12, 2016. I am in second grade. My favorite food is fried chicken. I have a lot of fun playing with my dolls in my free time. My favorite color is lemon green. I like domestic animals, but my favorite one is the cat. I am glad because I have a lovely and healthy family. My father is Hugo Gonzalo Quej Ma, and my mother is Herminia Noemi Naz Ordonez. They work hard to ensure that my siblings and I do not lack the essentials, like food. I have two brothers and two sisters. My father travels to the city and works as a security guard for fifteen days. Afterward, he returns and stays home for two days.

As for my mother, she keeps busy doing the housework and embroidering typical blouses. My heart overflows with happiness because I am already part of the feeding program. My mother and I usually walk for 25 minutes from where we live to get there. I want you to know that my family and I live with my grandmother and aunt, on my mother’s side. The owner of the house is my aunt, Mayra Isabel Naz. The house is made of adobe walls with a metal roof and a concrete floor. It has three rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. My family and I only use one room of the house. My father contributes to the household expenses. As for our spiritual life, let me tell you that we attend a nearby church called Pentecostal United. I will leave you now, but I appreciate you taking the time to read my letter. Until next time!

With love,

Shaimaa Idaira Azuleemy Quej Naz

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala