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! My name is Tomasa Abigail Tino Luis and I am so happy to share my story with you through this letter. I was born on December 3, 2021. I am a healthy girl and my favorite pastime is pretending to cook with plastic food. Due to my young age, I still do not attend school. I love having sausages and beans for my meals. My favorite color is pink, and I like chickens. I live with my parents and I have only one brother. Fortunately, they are in good health. We attend a Pentecostal Church called Prince of Peace. My father's name is Jose Fernando Tino De La Cruz and he is a farmer. He grows onion, radish, coriander, and other edible herbs to sell and support our family. While he works, my mother keeps busy doing the chores and taking care of my brother and me. Her name is Petrona Luis de La Cruz.

I am glad to tell you that I still have my great-grandmother with me. My family and I live with her at her house, which is made of concrete blocks with a tile roof and concrete floor. It has two rooms and a separate kitchen. We get water by using a hose from a nearby spring. Thanks to my father’s friend, we have electricity at home. He lives close to our house and my father helps him to cover half of the expenses at the end of the month. About domestic animals, we have one cow, chickens, and one dog at home. The feeding program is a little far from where I live, but I am so happy to enjoy my meals alongside other children. I usually walk for about 40 minutes to get there and my mother accompanies me. It is time to say goodbye, but I kindly ask you to pray for my family and our needs. Some of them are groceries, corn, and clothes. Until next time!

With much love,

Tomasa Abigail Tino Luis

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Guatemala