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.

Hello! It is such a great pleasure to greet you through this letter. My full name is Kheyly Bellgyrly Xon Coj, and I hope you are doing well. I was born on February 2, 2014. Thankfully, I am a healthy girl. I am 12 years old. My favorite color is lilac and I love eating fried chicken. In my free time, I enjoy playing ball. I like domestic animals, but my favorite one is the rabbit. I attend the sixth grade at school. I am so happy because I am already part of the feeding program in Pasojoc I, which is a blessing. To get there, I usually walk for five minutes from my house. Now, let me tell you a little about my family. I live under the care of my grandmother, Maria Calachij Grave, since my mother had to travel to the United States, in order to support our family financially. My grandmother is doing well and works hard to contribute to the household expenses, too. She weaves typical clothes and raises chickens and pigs. We attend a nearby church called Christian Life.

My mother’s name is Estelina Coj Calachij. Fortunately, she is doing well and works in a restaurant. She has been in the United States for about four years. We are in touch with her and receive her economic support every two months. I kindly ask you to pray for my mother, so the Lord protects her always. In advance, thank you so much! About my father, I tell you that he abandoned my family some years ago. Sadly, we know nothing about him. His name is Juan Xon Mejia. I tell you that my grandmother and I live in our own two-room house with a separated kitchen. It is made of adobe with tin sheet roof and concrete floor. We have electricity and get water from a natural spring. We usually pay Q100=$13.04 annually for the electricity. We are a humble family and some of our needs are groceries, especially corn. This is all for now, but I appreciate you taking the time to read my information. May God bless you!

Sincerely yours,

Kheyly Bellgyrly Xon Coj

Translated by: Hillary Popol, A-A-C Secretary / Guatemala