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 happy to be able to write this letter to greet you and tell you how my days are going. My name is Julian Vitalino Riz Jimon. I am 5 years old now. I was born on May 19, 2021. I started to attend school and I am in preschool.  I spend time playing soccer at home. My favorite color is white and I love rabbits. The meal that I like the most is scrambled eggs. Please let me tell you a little about my family. First, I am grateful for my family’s health. My father is Vitalino Riz Grave. He earns a living by working as a farmer. My mother is Irma Magdalena Jimon Morales. She stays at home doing the chores, and she earns money raising and selling hens. I have one sister and she attends the feeding program. My family and I are all doing well and staying healthy. We attend a Prince of Peace Church.

I live in a house which belongs to my parents. There is just one room and a separate kitchen. It is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and concrete floor. We have electricity and my mother gets water from a hand-dug well. My parents pay for the cost of the services. I would like to ask for your prayers for God to bless us with our own running water. One of our main needs is groceries. I walk about 30 minutes to get to the feeding program. I say goodbye to you for now and I hope you enjoy reading my letter.

With a giant hug,

Julian Vitalino Riz Jimon

Translated by: Antigua Secretary-Lucia Gravez