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.

Hello, it is my pleasure to greet you on this beautiful day hoping that things turn out well for you and your family. I am glad to introduce myself. My name is Yasmin Yamilet Aracely Garcia Perez, and I am 8 years old. I was born in Zacualpa Quiche on April 12, 2018. I am in my first year of primary school because I am repeating this grade. My favorite color is purple, and my favorite pet is the cat. In my free time, I enjoy playing with dolls. My health is good, and I like eating broccoli. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister. My brothers are enrolled in the feeding program. We usually come together to the program along with my mother. We walk 45 minutes to get there. We are pleased to attend.

We live our own house. We share it with my paternal grandparents. The house has two rooms plus a kitchen. There is electricity service and my parents pay for the service monthly. We do not have running water, but we get some for our use from a nearby river through a hose. Our house is made of adobe, tin sheet roof and cemented floor. There are chickens, pigs and sheep at home.

Hector Garcia Toj is my father, and he sustains us by tending to a grocery store. Ana Morelia Perez de la Cruz is my mother, and she weaves typical napkins to help with the income. Besides that, she takes care of us and the house. Thank God, they both enjoy good health. Our religion is Catholic and we faithfully attend the church. Some of our needs are currently food and clothes. Alright, I have to say goodbye to you for now. I feel blessed to have your interest. May God bless you for your good heart!

In Jesus’ name,

Yasmin Yamilet Aracely Garcia Perez

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua