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.

Hello! My full name is Bartolo Agusto Simaj Luis and I was born on December 20, 2015 in Zacualpa, Quiche. I am a healthy ten-year-old boy. I am in 2^nd grade this year. I like to play with balls. I love cats and the color red. My favorite meal is beef broth. I have two brothers and one sister. My brother accompanies me to the Feeding Program, and we walk one hour to come. My father`s name is Agustin Hernandez, but I only have my mother`s last names because when she was pregnant with me, my father traveled to the United States and did not legally recognize me. My mother`s name is Sebastiana Simaj Luis and she raises chicks, hens and goats to sell and get some income. She would like to have more chicks at home because we have enough space for them. My father earns a living in a chicken farm in the United States to sustain the family, and he calls us always. We believe in God and we congregate in the Prince of Peace Christian Church. We are a needy family, so our current needs are groceries and corn.

We live in my mother`s house, and we have three adobe rooms with tin sheet and cemented floor. We have running water and electricity. My father pays monthly for the service. I am thankful to God because my family and I are doing well. I hope you enjoy reading my personal information. Have a nice day!

Sincerely yours,

Bartolo Agusto Simaj Luis

Translated By: Gladys de Catavi, AAC Secretary-Antigua