My Story

Pasojoc is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiche, 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 Quiche Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

It is such a blessing to greet you by this means. My full name is Claudia Regina Garcia Simaj, and I want to share with you a little about my life. I was born on October 21, 2018. By the grace of the Lord, I am a healthy 7-year-old girl. My favorite color is yellow. I have a lot of fun playing with dolls. I like domestic animals, but I prefer cows. What I love eating the most is fried chicken. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I kindly ask you to pray for my family and me. We are a humble family and because of a lack of financial resources, we live at my grandfather’s house alongside our relatives. In total, we are 25 people at home. The building is made of adobe walls with a metal tin sheet roof and dirt floor. It has five rooms and a separated kitchen. Luckily, we have electricity and running water. Everybody contributes to the household expenses.

About my nuclear family, I tell you that I have my parents and siblings with me. I have three brothers and two sisters. Luckily, everybody is doing well. My father’s name is Emilio Garcia Garcia. He works as a farmer and cuts firewood to supply our family needs. My mother’s name is Cristina Simaj de la Cruz. She is a housewife and dedicates part of her time to raising a pig to sell it later in order to contribute to the expenses. We are members of a Christian Church called Jesus Christ the Good Pastor. I am so happy because I can enjoy my meals at the feeding program that is held at our school here in Pasojoc one. My sisters and I only walk for five minutes from where we live to get there. This is all for now, but I look forward to hearing from you next time.

Special regards

Claudia Regina Garcia Simaj

Translated by: Hillary Popol, A-A-C Secretary/Antigua