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 fondly greet you, hoping this informative letter finds you doing well. My full name is Lucia Leticia Morente Garcia and I was born on August 23, 2017. Thankfully, I am a healthy girl and I am in second grade. I have a lot of fun drawing and my favorite color is purple. I like rabbits and I love eating fried chicken. I live with my parents, grandmother, and sisters. I have only two sisters, but no brothers. We attend a Christian Church. My father is Arnoldo Morente Luis and he works as a farmer. He also travels to the coast to work in whatever he can find to earn an extra income and cover our needs. Most of them are groceries. My mother is Marta Garcia Gomez and she is a housewife.

In addition, she weaves and sells typical clothes to contribute to the expenses. We do not own a house, but my paternal uncle allows to live in his house. It is made of adobe with tile roof and dirt floor. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, and electricity. Thankfully, there is a nearby spring from where we can get water. We are glad because we have enough space at home to raise sheep. I am so happy to be part of the feeding program because I can enjoy my meals alongside my older sister, who is already enrolled. We usually walk for one hour and a half to get there. My mother usually accompanies us. It is time to say goodbye, but I hope to hear from you soon.

Kisses and hugs,

Lucia Leticia Morente Garcia

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Guatemala