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 Britany Kendy Eidy Calachij de la Cruz and I was born on April 10, 2015 in Zacualpa, Quiche. I am in good health and I am 11 years old. I am in 4^th grade this year and I love to play with my brothers. My favorite color is red. I like hens and my favorite meal is fried chicken. I have two brothers and one sister. My two siblings also are registered in the Feeding Program. We walk to the Feeding Program for one hour and we take our lunch at the local school from Pasojoc I. My father`s name is Rolando Calachij Ajqui and my mother`s name is Dora Lucrecia de la Cruz Gutierrez de Calachij. She is a stay-at-home-mom and she raises hens. My father earns a living as a day laborer. We are a needy family, so our current needs are groceries and clothing. We would like to have some chicks and we have enough space in the house. As a family we attend Christian Life Church.

We live in my father`s house. We have two rooms and we only use one. The walls are made of adobe, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We also have a separated kitchen. We use solar panels for light, and we get water from a nearby river by connecting a hose. Thankfully, my family and I are doing well and it was my pleasure to send you my personal information. Blessings to you!

A bunch of kisses,

Britany Kendy Eidy Calachij de la Cruz

Translated By: Gladys de Catavi, AAC Secretary-Antigua