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.

I kindly greet you in the name of Jesus, hoping you are doing well. My name is Pedro Leodan Osvaldo Calachij Garcia. I am 8 years old and I appreciate you taking the time to read my information. Fortunately, I am a healthy boy. I was born on March 1, 2018. I enjoy playing soccer in my free time and I like the color black. My favorite animals are dogs and I love having roasted meat for my meals. I want to use this opportunity to thank LW for blessing my sister and me with delicious meals. We are glad because we can enjoy them at school here in Pasojoc one. I am in second grade at school. To get there, we walk for fifteen minutes from where we live. I have one sister, but no brothers. We attend Christian Life Church alongside my mother and grandparents. Luckily, everybody is doing well.

I tell you that I do not have my father with me because he abandoned our family about five years ago. His name is Vicente Calachij. My mother is the one who strives to supply the essentials at home. Some of our greatest needs are food and school supplies. My mother’s name is Veronica Garcia Chivalan. She makes a living by weaving typical clothes. To earn extra income, she goes to Zacualpa and works in a tortilleria business at the end of the year. She takes advantage of that time to leave us under the care of our grandparents. We live in a two-room house with a kitchen. My family and I have lived with them for a long time. The house is made of adobe, tile roof, and concrete floor. We have electricity and get water from a stream by using a hose. We have some chickens at home for our consumption. I send you my best wishes, hoping to hear from you soon.

Cordiality yours

Pedro Leodan Osvaldo Calachij Garcia

Translated by: Hillary Popol, A-A-C Secretary/Antigua