My Story

Special regards to all of you! My full name is Juan Luis Felipe Chingo Benito and it is a great blessing to tell you about my family and me through this letter. I am 10 years old and help my mom with the housework because I am on vacation. I want you to know that I had to drop out of school last year because I got dengue. Fortunately, I got better and could attend school again. I repeated second grade. I am healthy now and enjoy playing with my siblings in my free time. I also like helping my mom with the housework. We raise hens, pigs, and one cow at home to sell. I want to use this opportunity to ask you to pray for my parents. Unfortunately, my mom has felt a lot of pain in her heart lately. She looked for help at the health center in our town, but the doctor told her that she had to see a specialist to find a solution to her issues. Because of a lack of money, she did not do it. At the moment, she takes natural medicine to relieve her issues. As for my father, let me tell you that he has problems with alcohol. He works as a farmer and day laborer, but because of his condition, he does not help us economically.

We have been passing through a challenging economic situation, but fortunately, my oldest siblings have helped us with a little money to move forward. Their names are Carlos and Maria Chingo. I am glad because all my siblings are doing well. I attend the feeding program alongside my young siblings. We love having fried chicken for lunch. We receive gifts and have special food at the feeding program for Christmas. That is a great blessing for me! As for our spiritual life, let me tell you that we have attended the Catholic Church for a few years. I say goodbye to you now, but I hope to hear from you soon.

Huge hugs,

Juan Luis Felipe Chingo Benito

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala