My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiche, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult and somewhat isolated from the outside world. Most families live in one-room adobe houses with dirt floors and a small attached kitchen. The extremely poor live in houses made of corn stalks. In the past few years electricity and water have become available to most people in the area - however, indoor plumbing is very rare. Most of the families are farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value.  Life in Quiche is always a challenge.

It is a pleasure to greet you through this letter hoping you are well along with your loved ones. This is Juana Estefany Velasqyez Xan. I was born on August 9, 2022. I am 4 years old. I do not attend school due to our low resources. I spend time at home playing with dolls and toy dishes. My favorite color is pink and I love dogs. I like to eat black beans and rice. I am healthy. Let me tell you a little about my family. My mother is the only one who supports our family since my father abandoned our family. He does not keep in touch with us or help in anything. His name is Rolando Velasquez Mejia. My mother is Maria Estela Xan Morente. She works as a domestic employee. Please pray for her because she suffers from gastritis and takes medicine. I am an only child now. My family attends a Christian church called “Asamble a de Dios Emmanuel”.

We live in my grandparents’ house. There are two rooms made of adobe, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. It does not have a separate kitchen, so my mother cooks in the hallway. We have running water and electricity. Our greatest needs are groceries and a bed. It takes me about 15 minutes from my home to get to the feeding program. My family is in good health. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and I hope you like it. 

With much love,

Juana Estefany Velasqyez Xan

Translated by: Antigua Secretary-Lucia Gravez