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 say hello to you and share a little bit about myself through Living Water! My full name is Madelin Yajaira Gutierrez Tzoy. I was born on November 11, 2018, and I am 7 years old. I am in good health, and so is my family. I have only one brother, and he is enrolled in the feeding program too. I am in first grade this year. I love playing with my dolls. Something I love to eat is spaghetti. I like rabbits, and my favorite color is purple. I am so happy to say that my family and I are members of the Catholic Church.

Oscar Ruben Gutierrez Gutierrez is my father. He works both as a farmer and as a day laborer five days a week, and thankfully, he provides for our needs. Juana Margdalena Tzoy Velasquez is my mother. She is a housewife and embroiders napkins to sell. Furthermore, she also raises hens to sell. I love seeing my parents support each other to move our family forward. Luckily, we live on our own property, and it is a humble house. The house has two adobe rooms with a tin sheet roof and a rustic cement floor and a kitchen. We have running water and electricity; the water is a yearly payment, and the electricity is a monthly payment. Our greatest needs are groceries and clothes. It is a great blessing for me to be enrolled in the feeding program. I get there by walking in 45 minutes or in twenty minutes by car. My sister and I attend alongside one of my cousins. Fortunately, I receive medical care in the LW clinics, and it is a great blessing for my family. Thank you so much for taking the time to learn about me. I pray that God will bless you wherever you are!

A bunch of hugs,

Madelin Yajaira Gutierrez Tzoy

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