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.

I feel so blessed to be part of the feeding program and be able to send you my regards. My name is Maria Yulisa Ajqui Mejia. I was born on May 8, 2019. I am 7 years old now. My parents enrolled me at school and I am in first grade. My favorite color is pink and I love kittens. I enjoy playing dolls. I like to eat spaghetti. Thank God, I am in good health. We are a happy and loving family. By the grace of the Lord, my parents are healthy. My father is Marcos Ajqui. He works by farming the land and planting corn for others. My mother is Irma Tomasa Yolanda Mejia Suy. She stays at home doing the chores and she raises hens to sell. I only have one brother. My family are members of a Methodist Church. 

We live in our own house. There are three rooms and a separate kitchen made of adobe, tin sheet roof and concrete floor. It has electricity and my father pays for it. We share water with other relatives. One of our main needs is groceries. It takes me about 10 minutes from home to get to the feeding program. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

God bless you,

Maria Yulisa Ajqui Mejia

Translated by: Antigua Secretary-Lucia Gravez