My Story

Chuchuca, where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is more than a two hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa.  Chuchuca is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major corps. The Quiché Indians who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak an Indian dialect called Quiché - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.             

My name is Maria Erlinda Maricel Batz Coj. I was born on December 19^th of 2016, in Xejox village, Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 8 years old. My mother´s name was Emilia Coj Barrera. Unfortunately, she passed away giving birth to my youngest sibling, who is alive. My father´s name is Juan Batz Ruiz. Sadly, he abandoned us and established another family in another village. He does not visit us or support us. Thanks to God, my maternal grandparents are the ones taking care of my siblings and me. They are Pedro Coj Riz and Santa Barrera. My grandfather no longer works because he is diabetic and has lost his sight. He had to return from the United States because of that illness. My grandma works as a midwife and is supplying our home needs. Moreover, she receives economic support from one of her sons, who works in the USA; it is not too much, but it is a great help to us. I have two brothers and two sisters; one of my sisters is living with my paternal grandmother. Our pets are dogs and a cat. Thank God, my grandma and siblings are in good health.

Unfortunately, one day I was playing with my siblings on the street and suddenly, I fell into a ditch and broke my left leg; it happened when I was 5 years old. My family took me to the doctor and looked for a way so that I received the best medical care. They did the best for me; however, my left leg is not the same, and now, it is hard for me to walk because my leg hurts. I am not attending school due to my condition. Besides that, I am in good health. I usually help to feed our domestic animals. I love the color red, and the animal I like the most is the dog. My favorite meal is fried chicken. As a family, we attend Catholic Church. The house in which we live belongs to my grandparents. One of my aunts and cousins also live there. There is one adobe room with a tile roof and a dirt floor, and the kitchen is separated. We have running water and electricity services; my grandma pays for those services. Our greatest needs are groceries, corn, clothes and footwear. I am so happy to be registered in the feeding program and receive my meals; it is located one hour from my home. Thank you for reading my information. May God bless you!

Lots of love,

Maria Erlinda Maricel Batz Coj

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