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 Rogelia Ajqui Toj, and it is a pleasure to tell you about my family and me. I am in good health, and I am 7 years old; I was born on June 25, 2017. It was my first year at school and I was in 1^st grade. I play tag with my siblings in my free time. I really love eating black beans with rice. I like rabbits, and my favorite color is purple. I have two brothers and two sisters, and three of them are part of the feeding program too. My father’s name is Jose Ajqui Tzoy, and he works as a farmer and day laborer; he also goes to pick coffee beans at the coast from November to February. My mother’s name is Maria Toj Garcia, and she works hard at home and takes care of us. My parents are both in good health.

At the moment, my family and I are not attending a church. Please, keep us in your prayers since we are always in need of groceries and clothes. We live in a house that belongs to my paternal grandfather, and we share it with my grandparents. The house is made of adobe with a tile roof and dirt floor, and it has two rooms and a separated kitchen; we only use one of the rooms. We have running water and electricity services, and my dad and grandpa pay these bills. We have pigs and hens 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.

With much love

Rogelia Ajqui Toj

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary/Antigua