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.

My name is Wendy Magaly Garcia Garcia, and I am 7 years old. I was born on July 10^th in Zacualpa Quiche. My aunt accompanies me to the feeding program, and we normally walk for 40 minutes to be there. I am in 1^st grade at school. I like to play dolls in my free time. My favorite color is purple, and I like cats. My favorite dish is fried chicken. I do not have brothers and sisters. My biological father does not legally recognize me, and I do not know anything about him. My mother is the one who supports me by traveling to Guatemala City to work in a tortilla shop. Meanwhile, she leaves me under the care of my aunt. I live in my grandfather´s house. My mother does not pay any rent. The house has two rooms and a separate kitchen. It is all made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. There is running water, but we use candles for light. We have some chickens at home. We are members of the Catholic Church. Thank God, we are all in good health. Some of the necessities that my family needs to cover are corn and food. I feel grateful for having this opportunity to be blessed by God through Living Water and you.

Best wishes,

Wendy Magaly Garcia Garcia

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua