My Story

Zacualpa is a small but busy village in a mountain valley. Both Quiche Mayans and Ladinos (those with mixed European ancestry) inhabit the village. The prevalent language is Spanish. Families in this village live in one or two-room homes usually constructed of either wood or adobe. Although many of the people are farmers, the village contains several small and 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 extremely high, and the children are very needy.

My name is Ashly Mishel Jimon Gonzalez, and it is a great pleasure to tell you a little about my life. I was born on April 12, 2018, so I am 6 years old. I am a healthy kindergarten student, and after school, I enjoy playing with my dolls. My favorite food is black beans with rice. I like cats and my favorite color is pink. Now, I will tell you about my family. My father makes a living as a day laborer. I want to open my heart and tell you that my father has problems with alcohol, so he does not help our family economically. His name is Hector Jimon Ruiz, and I would like you to pray for him. In advance, thank you so much. My mother, Yolanda Gonzalez Musia, is doing well. She works hard by selling homemade snacks and washing clothes for other people to provide my siblings and me with food, clothes, and shoes. However, it is challenging for her. I have one brother and two sisters. Fortunately, they are doing well. 

We are grateful to my grandmother because she sometimes helps with a little money that she receives from one of her daughters, who is in the United States. My family and I do not own a house, but one of my aunts allows us to live at her house for free. My grandparents also live with us. They are the ones who pay the electricity and running water bills. The house is made of adobe, a tin sheet roof, and a ceramic floor. It has four rooms and a separate kitchen. We do not raise domestic animals because of a lack of space. The feeding program is a 15-minute walk from my house. Being part of LW-Adopt A Child is not only a great blessing for me, but for my whole family too. As of our spiritual life, let me tell you that we are members of the Catholic Church. Before saying goodbye, I want you to know that my mother helped me to give all this information to a teacher of the LW evangelism team. Have a lovely day!

Sincerely yours,

Ashly Mishel Jimon Gonzalez

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary