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.

Kind regards! It is such a blessing to greet you through this letter. This is Lesby Ermelinda Gutierrez Ajqui and I want to share with you a little bit about my life with you. I was born on March 22, 2017. I am in good health and I am in second grade. My favorite pastime is playing with dolls and I love having noodles for my meals. My favorite color is pink and I like cats. I live with my mother, grandmother, and siblings. I have three brothers and one sister. Fortunately, everybody is doing well. We are members of a Pentecostal Church called Prince of Peace. I want to open my heart and tell you that my father abandoned my family and me some years ago. His name is Camilo Gutierrez Simaj.

The main supporter of my family is my mother. Her name is Santos Ajqui de Leon and she weaves typical belts and blankets. Furthermore, she sells chickens that she raises herself. Please pray for her so that God helps her to move forward and cover our needs. Most of them are groceries. We live in a small house, which belongs to my grandmother. The house is made of wood, tin sheets, and dirt floor. It has only one room and an improvised kitchen in the hallway. We do not have electricity or running water. Fortunately, one of our relatives shares those services with us, and my mother helps him to cover the expenses. We live about a ten-minute walk from the feeding program. I usually go there alongside my older siblings and my mother accompanies us. It is time to say goodbye, but I hope to hear from you soon.

Lots of love,

Lesby Ermelinda Gutierrez Ajqui

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Guatemala