My Story

Chuchuca, 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 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 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.

I am Sonia Vanesa Carolina Garcia Tzoy, and I am 4 years old. I was born on June 1st, 2021, in Zacualpa, Quiche. I must walk for 15 minutes with my siblings to arrive at the feeding program; I have 1 brother and 1 sister.  We are very happy to be part of this program. I am not attending school yet due to my age. My hobby is playing soccer and tag with my cousins, and my favorite color is purple. I love cats, and my favorite dish is edible herbs (Macuy). My father´s name is Feliciano Grave Chingo. My mother´s name is Carmelina Garcia Tzoy. I just have my mother´s last name because when I was born my father had lost his Personal Identification Document (DPI). My parents struggle a lot at home to give us the necessities. My father works as mason helper and my mother is a weaver; she weaves typical napkins and sashes.  Sometimes, she sells her hens to earn some money. In addition, during the coffee season, we travel to the coast to cut coffee beans from November until February.

By the grace of God, we are a healthy family.  We live in my paternal grandmother’s house. We have one room and a separate kitchen. It is made of adobe walls, tile roof and concrete floor. Thank God, we have running water and electricity; my parents contribute to the payment of these services every month. We have some animals like hens, sheep and one pig.  We have many needs and some of them are groceries and clothes. I ask for your prayers for me and my family please. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking your time to read a little bit of my history.

Best wishes,

Sonia Vanesa Carolina Garcia Tzoy

Translated by: Magnolia De Torres / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala