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 great blessing to say hello to you through this letter. How are you doing? My full name is Kevin Oscar Armando Hernandez Chavez, and I am so happy to share my information with you. Fortunately, I am a healthy 9-year-old boy. I was born on April 19, 2016. I am repeating the third grade at school. My favorite pastimes are playing soccer and marbles. I like chickens, my favorite color is blue, and I love eating fried chicken. I live with my parents, siblings and grandparents. I have two brothers and one sister. I tell you that my parents work hard to supply food and all the essentials that our family needs.

My parents' names are Camilo Hernandez Grave and Marta Chavez Tzoy. They travel to the coast and work together on a coffee farm to get extra income. After coming back home, my mother dedicates her time to embroidering and sells typical clothes, while my father works on the field as a farmer. However, he has suffered from body pain after having a surgery two years ago. At that time, he had an accident where he fractured his hip and two ribs. He takes painkillers to mitigate the issues. While my parents go to work, my siblings and I stay at home under the care of my grandmother on my mother’s side, Ana Tzoy.

My family and I live in a three-room house with a separated kitchen, which belongs to my grandparents. It is made of adobe with a metal tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. We have electricity and get water from a natural spring. My parents contribute to cover the expenses for the services. About our spiritual life, I tell you that we trust in God and attend a local church called Life Christian. I am grateful to LW for allowing me to be part of the feeding program in Pasojoc I. Many children like me can receive delicious food at school after classes. To get to school, I usually walk for fifteen minutes from my house. It is time to say goodbye, but I hope to hear from you soon.

Special regards,

Kevin Oscar Armando Hernandez Chavez

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