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.

Good morning! I feel blessed to share my personal information in this opportunity. My name is Brenda Leticia Morente Gomez and I was born on July 28, 2020. I am 6 years old and I am in good health. I am not attending school yet due to my age, but I hope to study the next year. I stay at home and I play dolls and soccer. I love kittens and my favorite color is pink. Fried chicken is my favorite meal. I am blessed to be registered in the Feeding Program and I walk for 30 minutes to arrive there. I have one brother and six sisters, and two of them are attending the Program. We walk together to that place because we take our lunch in the local school from Pasojoc I.

My father`s name is Genaro Morente Ajqui, and he earns a living by carrying heavy packages for others in a bus terminal from Guatemala City. He visits us every four months and then he returns to his job. I only live under my mother`s care. Her name is Maria Gomez Grave. She is a stay-at-home-mom and she takes care of my siblings and me. We are members of Prince of Peace Christian Church. We live in our own house. There are two rooms and a separated kitchen. It is an adobe house with tiles roof and a dirt floor. There is electricity service and my father sends money to pay for it. We get water from a natural spring by connecting a hose. We have hens at home, and my mother would like to have some chicks because thankfully we have space for them. We are a needy family, so our greatest needs are corn and groceries. I am thankful to God because my whole family and I are in good health. I send you every kind of blessing!

In Jesus’ love,

Brenda Leticia Morente Gomez

Translated By: Gladys de Catavi, AAC Secretary-Antigua