My Story

Cuatro Caminos "four roads", where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, Guatemala.  Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world.  It is a two hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa.  Cuatro Caminos is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major crops.  The Quiché Indians who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  They normally speak an Indian dialect called Quiché - however, Spanish is becoming more common.  Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

What a blessing to greet you today! I am Bernardo Gabriel Jimon, and I am so happy to tell you about me by this means. I am a healthy 4-year-old boy. I was born on November 17, 2021, in Joyabaj Quiche. I am still too young to attend school. I spend my time playing with toy cars and playing soccer. I like blue color and chicks. My favorite food is rice. I feel grateful to attend the feeding program. 

About my family, I can say that my mother´s name is Maria Jimon Morente and she is a housewife. My biological father is Carmen Simaj Morente. Unfortunately, I am not legally recognized by him because he is not living with us. He traveled to The United States 4 years ago. He works in a car wash, keeps in touch with us and sends money monthly for our support. I have three brothers and three sisters. My brother Amilcar brings me to the program which is 10 minutes’ walk away. Sadly, we have not attended a church yet.

We live in our own house with my maternal grandmother. The house has two rooms plus the kitchen. It is made of dirt floor, adobe walls and tin sheet roof. We do not have running water, so we get it from a nearby river that is 30 minutes away through a hose. There is electricity service that my mother pays monthly with the money that my father sends. Our domestic animals are chickens and pigs. As a family, we need corn and groceries. Alright, I have to say goodbye to you for now, but not before sending my best wishes and blessings to you. I love you so much. Take care!

With much love,

Bernardo Gabriel Jimon

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua