My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiché, 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 Quiché is always a challenge.

It is a beautiful day to send my greetings to you and share a little bit about me! My name is Claudia Petrona Jesusa Gonzalez Tiam. My birth date is March 17, 2018, and I am already 8 years old now. I live with my mother, two brothers and one sister. We have dogs at home. My father´s name is Sebastian Gonzalez de la Cruz. He traveled to the United States two years ago, and he works as a construction assistant. Fortunately, he calls us daily and sends us financial support. My mother´s name is Rosa Tiam de la Cruz. She does household work most of the time and takes care of my siblings and me. She also raises hens and sheep. She suffers from gastritis and anxiety; she has been receiving medical treatment and is doing well now. We are members of a Christian Church. I want you to pray for my health issues. I have a weak immune system, and I get sick easily. Thankfully, I will receive medical care in the LW clinics now.

My favorite color is black. The animal I like the most is the cat. I love eating noodles with egg. I usually help my mom with some chores at home. I am a second-grade student. My father owns the house where we live. There are two rooms and a kitchen. The house is made of adobe and blocks with a tin sheet roof and a cement floor. We have running water and electricity services; my father pays for those services. The water is a yearly payment, and the electricity is a monthly payment. Our greatest needs are groceries, corn and improving the kitchen. I feel so blessed to be enrolled in the feeding program; I walk 30 minutes to arrive, and I usually attend alongside my older sister. I have to say goodbye now, but I want to thank you so much for reading about me today. May God bless you and keep you always!

May God bless you!

Claudia Petrona Jesusa Gonzalez Tiam

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, A-A-C Secretary-Antigua