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 crops. 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.

Hi! I hope you are fine. This is Heimy Suleidy de la Cruz Benito, and it is a pleasure to tell you about my family and me. I am in good health, and I am 6 years old; I was born on May 18, 2018. I am not attending school yet due to my age. I play with my dolls and siblings in my free time. I really love eating fried chicken. I like hens, and my favorite color is pink. I have two brothers and two sisters, and they are all registered at the feeding program. My father’s name is Emilio de la Cruz Gutierrez, and he works as a farmer; he also goes to pick coffee beans at the coast from November to February. My mother’s name is Roselia Benito Simaj, and she works hard at home and weaves typical bags for selling.  

My family and I are attending Prince of Peace Church. Please, keep us in your prayers since we are always in need of groceries and clothes. We live in a house that belongs to my dad. The house is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and dirt floor, and it has two rooms and a separated kitchen. We use candles and flashlights at nights, and we use a hose to bring the water from a stream to our home. We have hens, pigs, sheep and a dog at home. I walk for 30 minutes to arrive to the feeding program, and it is a blessing to receive a plate of food there. I tell you that my mom helped me to give my information to the Evangelism team. I end my letter giving you thanks for reading it. May God bless you!

Kisses and hugs

Heimy Suleidy de la Cruz Benito

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary/Antigua