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 Edy Jonathan Ariel Calachij Garcia, and I am glad to share my information with you. I was born on April 23, 2018 and I am a healthy eight-year-old boy. I am in 2^nd grade and I enjoy playing soccer in my free time. I love hens. My favorite meal is fried chicken. I like the color yellow. I have one brother and one sister. Daniel Calachij Gomez is my father`s name and he earns a living as a mason`s helper. My mother is a stay-at-home-mom, and she also weaves typical bags to sell and support my father with the home expenses. Her name is Maria Elena Garcia Garcia. Unfortunately, we are not attending any church.

We live in my paternal grandfather`s house. His name is Carlos Calachij. My paternal grandparents and uncles live with us. The house is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. It consists of two rooms and a separated kitchen. We get water from our little natural spring. We have solar panels to get electricity. We have hens at home and we would like to have some chicks because we have space for them. We are a needy family and our priorities are groceries, clothing and shoes. I beg for your prayers for our family. My sister and uncles also are enrolled in the Feeding Center and they attend with me. We walk fifty minutes to come. Thankfully, my family and I are doing well. Blessings to you!

Sincerely yours,

Edy Jonathan Ariel Calachij Garcia

Translated By: Gladys de Catavi, AAC Secretary-Antigua