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 Indians who can trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak an Indian 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.

Good morning! I am so excited to introduce myself in this opportunity. My name is Ervin Kevin Chivalan Ajqui. I was born on July 6, 2021. I am 4 years old. I live with my parents, and I do not have siblings yet. Due to my young age, I am still not attending school. I usually play with my toy cars or football at home. I love the color blue, and the animal I like the most is the hen. The meals I love the most are rice and noodles. I am a healthy boy although I suffer with my vision in my left eye. My parents do not take me to the doctor because of a lack of resources. I am so happy to tell you that my parents are healthy. My father makes a living as a farmer and day laborer. Moreover, he goes to pick coffee beans on the coast for three months, and he goes twice a year. His name is Samuel Chivalan De La Cruz. My mother does the housework and raises hens and pigs. She also goes to pick coffee beans alongside my father; I go with them too. Her name is Irma Ajqui Tzoy.

We are attending the Catholic Church. We do not have our own house, and fortunately, my paternal grandma allows us to live in her house. My grandparents and my uncles live there too. There are three rooms and a kitchen. It is a humble adobe house with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. There is no running water, so we get it from a stream with the help of a hose. There is electricity and my parents contribute to pay the bill every month. As a family, our greatest needs are groceries and clothes. I am so thankful to Living Water for the opportunity to be registered in the program; I walk only five minutes to arrive and my mom accompanies me. I hope to hear news from you. May our Heavenly Father bless you!

With much love,

Ervin Kevin Chivalan Ajqui

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