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 great pleasure to say hello to you through this letter. How are you doing? My full name is Dilan Yerixon Simaj Mendez, and I was born on February 7, 2019. Luckily, I am a healthy 7-year-old boy. I love eating fried chicken and my favorite pastime is playing hide-and-seek. I like the color red and my favorite animals are puppies. I am so happy because I am already part of the feeding program in Pasojoc, and I can enjoy my meals at school, too. I live about one hour away from school. I want you to know that I live with my mother and grandparents on my father’s side. My father does not live with us because he traveled to the United States in order to earn a better income to support our family.

My father’s name is Leonel Eleazar Simaj Ajqui. He works in a dairy farm and keeps in touch with us every three days. On the other hand, my mother works hard in our village as a seamstress. Her name is Maria Elena Mendez Calachij. She also raises chickens, goats, and cows to contribute to the household expenses. Fortunately, my whole family is doing well. We attend a local Christian Church. We live in a three-room house with a separated kitchen, which belongs to my grandparents. Their house is made of adobe with metal tin sheet roof and concrete floor. We have electricity and get water from a nearby spring. I will leave you now, but I hope you enjoyed reading my information.

Huge hugs,

Dilan Yerixon Simaj Mendez

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