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 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.

Hello! my full name is Jimena Josefina Garcia Alvarado and I am five years old. I was born in Zacualpa, Quiche on May 5, 2025. I am not enrolled in school yet because of my age. I like to play with dolls at home and my favorite color is white. I love piggies and I enjoy eating grilled chicken. I have two brothers and four sisters and three of them are part of this project. We attend the Feeding Center together, and we walk forty minutes to arrive there. As a family, our current needs are groceries and clothing. We belong to the Catholic Church.  I live under my mother`s care because unfortunately, my father passed away in a car accident eight months ago. He was living and working in the United States when he had the accident. We are sad and we miss him. Fortunately, my older brothers are working and they support us financially. My Father`s name was Celso Garcia Chingo and my mother`s name is Ana Alvarado Ajqui. She takes care of us and she also raises and sells hens and cows to earn some money to cover our expenses. Our current needs are groceries and clothing. Which has three rooms and one separated kitchen, but we only use two of them. The walls are made of adobe, tin sheet roof and dirt floors. We have electricity and my mother pays monthly for the service. We get water from a nearby natural spring by connecting a hose. We have hens, pigs and cows at home, but we would like to have some chicks and we have enough space in the house for them. Thank you for taking the time to read my news. I send you all the best. Blessings to you!

Kisses and hugs,

Jimena Josefina Garcia Alvarado

Translated by: Gladys Chavez, AAC Secretary-Antigua