My Story

Pasojoc is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, 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 Quiché Indians who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  They normally speak an Indian dialect called Quiché - however, Spanish is becoming more common.  Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

Hello, my name is Julissa Dominga Mendez Grave. I was born on November 27, 2014, and I am 7 years old. I am a healthy girl, and I am in kindergarten this year. I play with my dolls in my free time. I love blue, and I the doves. My favorite food is fried chicken. I have two brothers and two sisters. I live about 30 minutes away from the feeding program, and I am always accompanied by my sister, Wendy, who is also part of the feeding program.

I am under the care of my parents. My father’s name is Emilio Mendez Garcia, and he farms the land and works as a day laborer. My mother’s name is Ana Grave Garcia, and she is a housewife; she raises hens, sheep, pigs and cows. We live in our own house made of adobe with a tile roof and concrete floor. We have two rooms and one kitchen. We have running water and electricity. We attend Prince of Peace Church.

With much love

Julissa Dominga Mendez Grave

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio/AAC Secretary, Antigua