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.

Hello! I am so happy to greet you through this letter. My full name is Sabina Yenifer Ruiz Luis, and I want to share with you a little about my life. I was born on June 20, 2014. My favorite color is lilac. I attend the sixth grade at school. My favorite hobby is playing with dolls. I like parrots and I love eating beef tacos. About my health, I tell you that I frequently suffer from headaches and a bloody nose. My mother took me to the medical campaign in the feeding program last year, and my condition improved a little. However, headaches have not gone away yet. So please, pray for me.

I am pleased to tell you that I have a lovely family. I live with my mother and sisters. I have six sisters, but no brothers. My mother’s name is Francisca Luis Calachij de Ruiz. She is a very busy housewife. We survive thanks to my father, who works hard to supply our needs. Most of them are groceries. My father’s name is Manuel Ruiz Gutierrez. He traveled to the United States about four years ago. He makes a living by painting houses. He usually calls us every three days.

We live in our own four-room house with a separated kitchen. It is made of concrete block with metal tin sheet roof and concrete floor. We have electricity and get water with a hose from a nearby natural spring. Fortunately, we have enough space at home to raise some pigs for our consumption. I am excited for being part of the feeding program in Pasojoc. My sisters and I usually walk one hour and a half from where we live to get there. This a long distance that we usually walk on vacation because we can also attend the feeding program in Pasojoc I. We attend another program at school, which is a blessing because it is closer to our house. We only walk 20 minutes to get there. See you later!

With love,

Sabina Yenifer Ruiz Luis

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