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.

Good morning! My name is Jose Anderson Ledwin Simaj Tzoy and I was born on March 24, 2022 in Pasojoc I, Zacualpa, Quiche. I am a healthy 4-year-old-boy. I am not studying yet due to my young age. I like to play tag and soccer. My favorite color is blue. I love birds and to eat grilled chicken.  I have two brothers and one sister. Two of them are registered in the Feeding Program. My mother accompanies us to the Feeding Program and we walk one hour and a half to come because we take our lunch at the local school from Pasojoc I. My father`s name is Maynor Simaj Simaj and my mother`s name is Aura Tzoy Toj. She dedicates her time to the housework duties, and she also raises hens to sell when she has an economic need. She would like to have some chicks because we have enough space for them in the house. My father is living and working in Escuintla town. He works in a grocery store for three months, and then, he returns to our home and works as a typical day laborer in our village to earn extra money to provide for our needs. We are a needy family and our priority needs are groceries. Unfortunately, we are not attending any church.

The house where we live belongs to my grandparent. My grandparents, my uncles and cousins also live there. We have two rooms and one separated kitchen. The rooms are made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We have running water and electricity. My grandparents pay for the services. They pay for the electricity once a month and they pay the water service yearly. My mother accompanies us to the Feeding Program and we walk one hour and a half to come because we take our lunch at the local school from Pasojoc I. Thank you for reading my news. Blessings to you!

Huge hugs,

Jose Anderson Ledwin Simaj Tzoy

Translated By: Gladys de Catavi, AAC Secretary-Antigua