My Story

Pasojoc III, where your child lives, is located in an extremely remote area of the mountains in Quiche, Guatemala.  Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is a 3-hour walk to the nearest market town.  The people who inhabit the area are Quiche Mayans who can trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche, however, Spanish is becoming more common.  The climate is basically warm, but it can get very cold at night.  Houses in this area are typically constructed of adobe with tin sheet or tile roofs and dirt floors. 

Pasojoc III is an area rich with natural resources.  It is a farming area where the inhabitants grow staples such as corn, beans and other types of vegetables.  Many families also raise domestic animals such as sheep, goats, cows and chickens.

Good morning! I feel blessed to introduce myself to you. My name is Dina Daily Ofelia Riz Chingo and I was born on April 14, 2016 in Zacualpa, Quiche. I am ten years old and I am in 3^rd grade. I like to draw and I like the color pink. I love cats and my favorite meal is fried chicken. I am in good health. I have two brothers. My father`s name is Encarnacion Riz Hernandez and my mother`s name is Ana Leticia Chingo Gomez. My father earns a living as a typical day laborer, and he travels with my mother to the coast to work as a day laborer to earn extra money. My paternal grandmother Jacoba Hernandez Portuguez takes care of me while they are away from the house. She accompanies me to the Feeding Program and we walk one hour to come. 

We live in our own house. We have two adobe rooms with tin sheet roof and dirt floors and one separated kitchen. We get water from a nearby river by connecting a hose. We do not have electricity, so we use lanterns at night. We are a needy family and our priority needs are corn and groceries. Thankfully, we belong to the Christian Life Church. It was a blessing for me to send you my personal information. Blessings to you!

In Jesus’ name,

Dina Daily Ofelia Riz Chingo

Translated By: Gladys de Catavi, AAC Secretary-Antigua