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.

Good morning! this is Keily Mileidy Calachij Pu and for me it is a pleasure to introduce myself. I was born on January 26, 2022 and I am a four-year-old girl. I am in good health but I suffer from crossed eyes.  I have not visited the ophthalmologist yet. I am in preschool and I like to play with dolls in my spare time. I love purple and pigs are my favorite animals. I enjoy eating chicken broth. I have two sisters and I live only under my mother`s care because my father traveled to the United States one year and a half ago to work. He works in a dairy in order to provide for our financial needs. He sends us money every two months and calls us every two days. His name is Victor Calachij Tzoy and my mother`s name is Vilma Josefina Pu de la Cruz. She dedicates her time to the household chores. Moreover, she earns a living by selling home-made snacks in our school. She also raises hens at home. We are a humble family, so our current needs are clothing and groceries. I am grateful because we believe in God and we attend the Christian Church called Prince of Peace.

I am blessed because along with my two sisters, we attend the project from this ministry that is located in the local school from Pasojoc I. We get delicious meals in that place. We only walk about three minutes to arrive there. We live in our paternal grandparent`s house and they also live with us. My grandfather`s name is Victor.  The house consists of two rooms made of cement blocks wall and tin sheet roof with cemented floor. We have electricity and the bill is paid monthly. We also have running water and the payment is yearly. It was a blessing to tell you about me and I send you all my best wishes!

 A bunch of hugs,

Keily Mileidy Calachij Pu

Translated by: Gladys Chavez, AAC Secretary-Antigua