My Story

Zacualpa is a small but busy village in a mountain valley. The village is inhabited by both Quiche Mayans and Ladinos (those with mixed European ancestry). The prevalent language is Spanish. Families in this village live in one or two room homes generally constructed of either wood or adobe. Although many of the people are farmers, the village contains several small specialized stores, a body repair shop for buses, mechanics, plumbers and many other small-town tradesmen. It also has a large open-air market which serves much of the area. Even with all of this, the poverty level is very high and the children are very needy.

Hello! It is such a blessing to greet you through this letter. My full name is Eline Valentina Martinez Segura and I am so happy to be part of the feeding program in Zacualpa town. I usually walk for ten minutes from where I live to get there. I am 11 years old and I was born on July 24, 2015. Fortunately, I am a healthy girl and I am in fourth grade. Among my hobbies, my favorite one is painting; I like the color black. My favorite animals are cats and what I love the most is chicken eating prepared with Coca Cola. About my family, I am pleased to tell you that everybody is doing well. I live with my mother and two siblings; I have one brother and one sister. At the moment, we do not attend any church.

My mother is the main supporter of our family. Her name is Evelyn Daniela Segura Hernandez and she works in a beauty salon three days a week. I want to open my heart and tell you that my father abandoned us after traveling to the United States about three years ago. His name is Edy Raul Martinez Martinez, and we know nothing about him unfortunately. We live in a two-room house with running water and electricity, but not a separate kitchen. Therefore, we prepare our meals in an improvised kitchen built in the hallway. It is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and concrete floor. The house belongs to a relative on my mother's side. About domestic animals, we only have a dog as a pet. I will leave you now, but I kindly ask you to pray for my family and our needs. Most of them are groceries. Until next time!

Kisses and hugs,

Eline Valentina Martinez Segura

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Guatemala