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 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.

Hello! this is Manuel Eliseo Portuguez Calachij and I was born in Zacualpa, Quiche on April 28, 2011. I am 14 years old and I am studying the second grade at school. My pastime is to do the homework from classes and I help my mother cleaning the house. I love cats and blue. Fried chicken is my favorite meal. I want to tell you that I suffer from a malformation in my left foot called “equinovarus feet” and I need to wear many socks to avoid scrapes when I am walking. My mother would like to ask for your prayers so I could find a special kind of shoe to wear. I am thankful because in spite of my condition, I am able to walk and run. I go out to collect firewood and I help my mother with home duties. I have not received medical treatment due to a lack of money and because I am already used to my handicap. I have one brother and one sister. I am happy because I am registered in this project and I walk for one hour to arrive there. Thankfully, my parents and whole family are in good health. I live under my parent`s care and my father`s name is Mario Portuguez Garcia. My mother`s name is Margarita Calachij Mendez. My father earns a living by working as a farmer and day laborer. In addition, he travels to the coast for two months to pick coffee beans once a month during the harvest season in order to earn extra money to support us financially. My mother dedicates her time to taking care of the family. In addition, she raises and sells hens and pigs to get some income. We are a needy and humble family, so our current needs are groceries, clothes and corn. As a family, we belong to the Christian Life Church.

We live in my father`s house. We have two rooms and one separated kitchen. The walls are made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and dirt floors. We have running water and my father pays for the service once a year. We do not have electricity, so we use candles at night. We have hens, a cat, a dog and a sheep at home. We would like to have some chicks because we have space in the house for them. This is my personal information and I would like to hear your story soon.  Have a nice day!

Strong hugs,

Manuel Eliseo Portuguez Calachij

Translated by: Gladys Chavez, AAC Secretary-Antigua