PA1923

Pasojoc 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.  Pasojoc 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.

Hello, my name is Rafael Estuardo Ris Morente.  I was born on October 18, 2011 and I am 7 years old.  I am in good health and I attend the Pasojoc feeding program.  My father’s name is Hugo, but sadly, he abandoned us about three years ago.  My mother remarried about 9 months ago.  Her name is Estela.  She still communicates with us, but she does not help us with our expenses.  We live with my grandparents.  My grandfather is a famer, and he also travels to the coast at the end of each year to work during the coffee harvest.  My grandmother, my siblings and I go with him.  My grandparents own the house in which we live.  The house is adobe with a tin roof and a dirt floor.  We have electricity and running water.  My grandparents have a few chickens, a pig, a cat and a dog.  I have 1 brother and 1 sister.  My grandmother is the one who takes us to the feeding program.  I am in 1st grade this year, and when I am not in school, I like to play ball and to play tag.  My favorite color is white, and my favorite animal is the dove.  The foods that I like to eat the most are fried chicken and mangoes.  Currently, my family does not attend Church.

With much love and many blessings,

Rafael Estuardo Ris Morente

Translated by: Edwina Lyons/AAC Missionary