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.

Hello! My full name is Emely Dayana Morente Garcia and I am so happy to greet you through this letter. In this opportunity, I will tell you a little bit about my life and I hope you find it engaging. I was born on October 12, 2021. By the grace of the Lord, I am a healthy 4-year-old girl. I am in preschool and my favorite pastime is playing with dolls. I love kitties. M favorite color is purple, and what I love eating the most is soup with noodles. I live with my parents and I only have one brother. My father’s name is Baldomero Morente Morente and he makes a living as a day laborer. My mother’s name is Irma Garcia Gomez and she is housewife. Besides that, she dedicates herself to weaving to contribute to the expenses. Thankfully, my parents are in good health.

I attend Church of Christ alongside my parents and brother. We live in a three-room house with a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. It is made of concrete blocks walls with concrete roof and floors. My uncle is the owner of the house, but he does not live with us. My maternal grandmother makes a living as a weaver and helps us to cover the household expenses because she lives with us. We raise chickens for our consumption. My family and I pray to have our own house someday because that is what we long for the most. Therefore, I kindly ask you to join us in prayer. I want you to know that I am so happy to be part of the feeding program. I usually walk for one hour from where I live with my mother to get there. It is time to say goodbye, but I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely yours,

Emely Dayana Morente Garcia

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Guatemala