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.

Receive a cordial and affectionate greeting. My name is Janderson Jafeth Eliseo Calel Bartolo, and it is a pleasure for me to share with you more about my family and me through this letter. Thankfully, I am in good health. I turned 7 years old on March 3^rd, and I am a 1^st grader this year. I enjoy playing ball in my free time for fun; my favorite meal is “pollo guisado” (typical chicken stew). I love cats, and the color I like the most is blue.  I have two brothers, and one of them is also registered at the feeding program; it is a blessing for us to be part of it, and my mother comes with us since we must walk 40 minutes to arrive. 

Now, let me tell you more about my family; sadly, my father no longer lives with us. He abandoned us about 8 months ago because he went to live with his other family. He works as a day laborer, but he rarely helps us economically. It is why my mother struggles to cover our needs. My mother works in a tortillas business every Sunday with one of her aunts. Fortunately, my grandfather is helping us a little with our expenses by working as a day laborer. Our needs are corn, groceries and clothes; we pray to God for them, and we have the certainty that He will provide what we need. We live in my maternal grandparents’ house; it is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof, and a dirt floor. It has two rooms and a kitchen. We get the water from a water spring, and one of my mother’s uncles shares his electricity with us, and my grandfather pays him every month. My aunt, grandparents and my family live in the same house; we also have a sheep, a cat and hens. We attend Prince of Peace Church. Before saying goodbye, let me tell you that my mother provided this information when she registered me at the feeding program. May God bless you, and I hope to hear from you soon.  

In Jesus Name,

Janderson Jafeth Eliseo Calel Bartolo

Translated by: Luisa Reyes de Solis, A-A-C Secretary/Antigua