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! I fondly greet you, hoping this letter finds you in good health. My full name is Angelica Alicia Simaj Rodriguez and I want to share a little about my life with you. I was born on March 11, 2022. I still do not attend school because I am still too young. I am a healthy girl and my favorite pastime is playing with dolls. I like the color pink. My favorite animals are chicks, and what I like eating the most are eggs. I live with my parents, paternal grandmother, and I have only one brother. We are members of Church of Christ. My father is the main supporter of our family and he makes a living as a day laborer. His name is Santos Simaj Cux and he is doing well.

My mother is a busy housewife and sells chickens that she raises herself to contribute to the expenses. Her name is Selena Rodriguez Gutierrez and she is doing well, too. Some of our needs are groceries. We live in a rented house, but the owner charges us Q500=$65.55 annually. It is made of wood, tin sheet roof, and dirt floor. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, running water, but no electricity. Therefore, we use candles at night. I am so happy to be part of the feeding program. I usually walk for 30 minutes from my house to get there. I will leave you now, but I hope to hear from you soon.

With much love,

Angelica Alicia Simaj Rodriguez

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Guatemala