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! I feel blessed to belong to this wonderful ministry, and taking advantage of this, I am introducing myself to you. My full name is Matilde Alison Dayana Luis Ajqui and I was born on November 9, 2020. I am 5 years old and I am in pre-kinder this year. I enjoy my spare time by playing with toy dishes. I love rabbits and my favorite color is purple. I like to eat fried chicken. I am in good health and my whole family is too. I have two siblings and they also are part of this project. I attend along with my sister and we are privileged to eat delicious meals in that place. We only walk ten minutes to arrive there because it is located in the local school from Pasojoc I.

By the grace of God, my family and I are doing fine and in good health. I live under my parent`s care. My mother`s name is Maria Elena Ajqui Xirum and my father`s name is Pedro Baldomero Luis Ajqui. He earns a living by working as a farmer and day laborer. Moreover, he also travels to the coast to work as a day laborer for two months. My mother stays at home and takes care of us. She does the household chores and raises hens. She also has pigs at home. At the moment, we are not attending any church. I live in my paternal grandparent`s house and we do not pay any rent. They also live in the house. We have two rooms and we use only one with a separated kitchen. The rooms are made of adobe walls, tile roof and dirt floor. We have running water and my parents only pay for the electricity service. Well, this is all for now, but it is my desire that you enjoy reading a little bit about my life. I send you all my best wishes and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Huge hugs,

Matilde Alison Dayana Luis Ajqui

Translated by: Gladys Chavez, AAC Secretary-Antigua