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.

Hello! My full name is Yeni Adriana Simaj Ajqui, and thanks to LW, I have the opportunity to share with you a little about my life. I was born on September 7, 2016. I am a healthy girl. I am in third grade and my favorite food is fried chicken. I like the color pink and I love cats. In my free time, I usually do homework and help my mother with the household chores. My mother’s name is Roselia Ajqui Jimon. She is a housewife and raises domestic animals for our consumption. We have sheep and chickens. We also have a dog and a cat at home as pets. My father’s name is Isaias Simaj Benito. He traveled to the United States about two years ago. Thankfully, he is doing well and keeps in touch with us. He makes a living by taking care of the cattle and the crops on a farm. He usually sends us his financial support monthly.

About siblings, I have four brothers, but no sisters. We live in our own house, which is made of adobe with a metal tin sheet roof and concrete floor. It has three rooms with a separated kitchen. We have electricity and running water. Fortunately, my whole family is doing well. We attend a local Christian Church. I want to use this opportunity to thank LW for allowing me to be part of the feeding program here in Pasojoc I. To get there, I usually walk for fifteen minutes from where I live. I will leave you now, but I kindly ask you to pray for my family and our needs. Some of our greatest needs are food and clothes. See you later!

Kisses and hugs.

Yeni Adriana Simaj Ajqui

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