My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult and somewhat isolated from the outside world. Most families live in one-room adobe houses with dirt floors and a small attached kitchen. The extremely poor live in houses made of corn stalks. In the past few years, electricity and water have become available to most people in the area - however, indoor plumbing is very rare. Most of the families are farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value. Life in Quiché is always a challenge.

I am so excited to share my information through this! My name is Mayeli Odalys Morente Riz. I was born on August 29^th of 2020, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I recently turned 5 years old. My father´s name is Santos Morente Luis. He lives and works in the United States. He works as a farmer and sends us economic support. He had an appendicitis surgery a few months ago; he is still recovering, and sometimes, he feels a lot of pain and does not go to work. My mother´s name is Martina Ruiz Jimon. She does the housework and takes care of my brother and me. We raise hens, cows and pigs. I have only one brother. My mother, brother and I are in good health, thanks to the Lord.

I am in pre-school and this is my first year at school. I like to pretend to cook; it is my hobby. I love the color pink and I like chicks. My favorite meal is fried chicken. My family and I are attending Rock of Salvation Methodist Church. We live with my maternal relatives and my uncle Leonel is the owner of the house. We share the house with him and my grandparents. There are four rooms and a separated kitchen. A part of the house is made of adobe covered with cement with a tin sheet roof and a cement floor. The other part of the house is built of blocks with a cement roof and a cement floor. We have running water and electricity services. The electricity payment is monthly, and the water is yearly; my parents share the expenses with my grandparents. I am so thankful to be registered in the feeding program, and I attend alongside my cousin Cidaly; we arrive in twenty minutes by tuk-tuk. Well, this is all for now. May God bless you wherever you are!

Warm hugs,

Mayeli Odalys Morente Riz

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala