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 information letter helps you to learn a little about my life. My name is Gladys Michell Yamilet Coj Lopez and I was born on April 25, 2021. I am in good health and I still do not attend school. My favorite pastime is riding my plastic bike. I love having rice for my meals. I like the color green, and my favorite animals are cows. I attend the Prince of Peace Church alongside my family. I have only one sister, but no brothers. My father’s name is Germana Jeremias Coj Ajqui. He makes a living as a day laborer and travels to the coast to cut sugar cane from October to May. He suffers from allergies, but he is keeping well thanks to the treatment that he takes.

He is the main supporter of our family and does his best to cover our needs. Some of them are groceries and clothes. My mother’s name is Luisa Carmelina Lopez Lopez. She keeps busy doing the household chores and taking care of my sister and me. We live with my grandmother at her house, which is made of adobe with a tile roof and dirt floor. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, and electricity. There is a nearby spring from where we get water by using plastic vessels. The feeding program is about two hours from where I live. I usually walk to get there and my grandmother accompanies me. I will leave you now, but I hope you enjoyed reading my information. Have a wonderful day!

Kisses and hugs,

Gladys Michell Yamilet Coj Lopez

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Guatemala