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 Mayans who can trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  They normally speak a Mayan 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.

Hello! My full name is Debora Maria Luis Chumil and I was born on May 19, 2020 in Zacualpa, Quiche. I am a six-year-old healthy girl. I am not studying yet. I love to eat noodles and the pig is my favorite animal. My past times are to play with toy dishes and soccer. I like the color green. I have three sisters and one of them also is registered in the Feeding Program. We walk for thirty minutes to arrive and my cousins accompany us. My mother`s name is Cecilia Chumil Gomez. She dedicates her time to the family and she does the chores at home. Sometimes, she works as a day laborer. Moreover, she raises hens to sell and get some income. My father is Jose Luis De Leon, and he earns a living as a farmer and a typical day laborer. In addition, he travels to the coast to pick coffee beans for three months to earn extra money. Currently, we are not attending any church. Our priority needs are groceries because we are needy people. We have some hens at home, but my mother would like to have some chicks. Thankfully, we have space for them.

By the grace of God, we are doing well and we live in my paternal grandfather`s house. We have two rooms made of adobe with tin sheet roof and dirt floor and we also have a separated kitchen. We have electricity and my parents pay monthly for the service. We get water from a natural spring by connecting a hose. It was a blessing for me to send you my personal information. Have a wonderful and peaceful day!

Huge hugs,

Debora Maria Luis Chumil

Translated By: Gladys de Catavi, AAC Secretary-Antigua