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! My full name is Yeyson Alexander Garcia de la Cruz and I was born in Zacualpa Quiche on June 20, 2022. I am four years old. My father`s name is Eulalio Garcia de la Cruz and my mother’s name is Dominga de la Cruz Mendez.  I have one brother and three sisters and they also are registered in the Feeding Program. I live with them. My mother takes care of the family and does the chores at home. My father works as a farmer and day laborer. He travels to the coast at any time, but we travel with him at the end of the year for 3 or 4 months to pick coffee beans during the harvest season. We are a needy family and our current needs are groceries and corn. We have some hens at home. My mother accompanies me to the Feeding Program and we walk fifty minutes to come.

We live in our own house and we have three rooms and a separated kitchen. The walls are made of adobe and tin sheet roof with cemented floors. We get water from a nearby spring by connecting a hose. We have electricity and my father pays for the service. Unfortunately, we are not attending any church yet. I like to play with balls at home. I am not studying yet due to my young age. I like the color black and dogs are my favorite pets. Fried chicken is my favorite food. Thank you for reading my little letter. I send you every kind of blessing from the bottom of my heart. Have a nice day!

A bunch of kisses,

Yeyson Alexander Garcia de la Cruz

Translated By: Gladys de Catavi, AAC Secretary-Antigua