My Story

Pasojoc III, where your child lives, is located in an extremely remote area of the mountains in Quiche, Guatemala.  Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is a 3-hour walk to the nearest market town.  The people who inhabit the area are Quiche Mayans who can trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche; however, Spanish is becoming more common.  The climate is basically warm, but it can get very cold at night.  Houses in this area are typically constructed of adobe with tin sheet or tile roofs and dirt floors.  Pasojoc III is an area rich with natural resources.  It is a farming area where the inhabitants grow staples such as corn, beans and other types of vegetables.  Many families also raise domestic animals such as sheep, goats, cows and chickens.

Hello, my name is Salvador Alexander Riz Matias. I was born on December 20, 2016, in Zacualpa, Quiche, and I am 8 years old. I am in good health, and I am in 1^st grade at school this year. My favorite color is light blue, and I love goats. I spend my spare time playing soccer. My favorite food is black beans and sausages. I have only one brother. I want to tell you that I walk to the program about 15 minutes along with my brother.  As a family, we are not attending any church. I am under the care of my parents. My father’s name is Carlos Riz Riz. He works as a farmer in the coffee plantations at the coast. He travels every two months, and he comes to visit us. He stays at home only for one week and then he returns to his job. Thankfully, he is in good health.  My mother’s name is Estela Matias Ramos. She is a housewife and a healthy woman and takes care of the family. Moreover, she tends her small grocery store.

We live in our own house and my paternal grandmother lives with us. Her name is Catalina Calachij and she is 96 years old. It has three rooms and one separated kitchen. We use only two rooms, and my grandmother uses the other one. Our house is made of wood, tin sheet roof, and dirt floors. We have running water, and my father pays this service once a year, but we do not have electricity, so we use a lantern at night. My mother has some hens at home. As a humble family, our needs are groceries, and we would like to have chicks because we have enough space in our house. This is my personal information, and I hope you enjoy reading it. My mother gave this information to the LW evangelism team.  I send you all my love!

Kisses and hugs,

Salvador Alexander Riz Matias

Translated by:  Gladys Chavez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua