My Story

Pasojoc is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, 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 crops. 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.

Hi! I hope you are fine. This is Mari Alicia Morente Mendez, and it is a pleasure to tell you about my family and me. I am in good health, and I am 4 years old; I was born on January 4, 2020. I do not attend school yet due to my age, so I keep at home playing with my dolls. I really love eating fried chicken. I like hens, and my favorite color is purple. I have two brothers, and one of them is part of the feeding program too. My father’s name is Lucio Morente de la Cruz, and he traveled to the United States years ago. He is working milking cows, and he calls us every Friday. My mother’s name is Maria Mendez Rodriguez, and she works hard at home and takes care of us. My parents are both in good health.

We are a family who believes in God, and we are members of Christian Life Church. Please, keep us in your prayers since we are always in need of corn and groceries. We live in a house that belongs to my paternal grandparents, and we share it with them and some of their grandchildren. The house is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and concrete floor; it has two rooms and a separated kitchen, and we use one of the rooms. We have running water and electricity services, and my mother helps to pay the electricity bill. We have hens, pigs and goats at home. I walk for 30 minutes to arrive to the feeding program, and it is a blessing to receive a plate of food there. I tell you that my mom helped me to give my information to the Evangelism team. I end my letter giving you thanks for reading it.

Cordially yours

Mari Alicia Morente Mendez

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary/Antigua