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.

Blessings to you in this wonderful day! This is Keila Emileidi Calachij de la Cruz and I was born in Zacualpa Quiche on December 26, 2016. I am 9 years old and I am a healthy girl. I am in 4^th grade this year. I like to play with my siblings. My favorite animal is the hen, and I enjoy eating fried chicken. I love the color blue. My father`s name is Rolando Calachij Ajqui and my mother`s name is Dora Lucrecia de la Cruz Gutierrez de Calachij. My father sustains the family by working as a day laborer, and my mother dedicates her time to the family and the household duties. Moreover, she also raises her hens. She would like to have some chicks. Thankfully, we have enough space for them. One of my brothers and my sister also are registered in the Feeding Program. We walk for one hour to arrive because we take our lunch at the local school from Pasojoc I.

We believe in God, and we are members of Christian Life Church. We live in my father`s house. We have two rooms and only use one. The house is made of adobe, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We have a separated kitchen. We use solar panels and we get water from a nearby river by connecting a hose. We are people in need, so our current needs are clothing and groceries. By the grace of God, my family and I are doing well. I love you so much!

Sincerely yours,

Keila Emileidi Calachij de la Cruz

Translated By: Gladys de Catavi, AAC Secretary-Antigua