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 full name is Alvaro Marcelino Quinilla Gomez and I am so happy to share my information with you through this letter. I was born on May 13, 2020. I was diagnosed with bronchial hyperresponsiveness when I was one and a half, and due to that, I use inhalers to keep well. I am in kindergarten and what I love eating the most is spaghetti. My favorite color is red and I have a lot of fun playing with my young brother while we are in the hammock. I am the oldest child in my family and attend the Pentecostal Prince of Peace Church alongside my parents.

My father’s name is Alvaro Israel Quinilla and he works as a nurse’s assistant at the public hospital in Joyabaj town. He suffers from prediabetes, but he is under treatment. Rosaria Angelica Gomez Gutierrez is my mother and she is doing well. She works as a teacher at a primary school and contributes to the expenses. One of our greatest needs is groceries. We live in our own two-room house with a separate kitchen and electricity. We get water from the well, which is at home. We raise chickens for our consumption and have one cat at home as a pet. The feeding program is about fifteen minutes from where I live. My father or aunt accompanies me and we usually take a bus to get there faster. It is time to say goodbye, but I hope you enjoyed my information.

With much love,

Alvaro Marcelino Quinilla Gomez

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Guatemala