My Story

Pasojoc III, where your child lives, is located in an extremely remote area of the mountains in Quiche, Guatemala.  Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is a 3-hour walk to the nearest market town.  The people who inhabit the area are Quiche Mayans who can trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche, however, Spanish is becoming more common.  The climate is basically warm, but it can get very cold at night.  Houses in this area are typically constructed of adobe with tin sheet or tile roofs and dirt floors.  Pasojoc III is an area rich with natural resources.  It is a farming area where the inhabitants grow staples such as corn, beans and other types of vegetables.  Many families also raise domestic animals such as sheep, goats, cows and chickens.

Good morning! My full name is Edwin Mateo de la Cruz Garcia and I was born on December 4, 2021 in Zacualpa, Quiche. I am a healthy four-year-old-boy. I am not studying yet due to my young age, but I hope to begin next year. I like to play soccer and I love cows. I enjoy eating fried chicken. I have three brothers and four sisters and four of them also are registered in the Feeding Program. We walk for ten minutes to come. My father`s name is Gerardo de la Cruz Mendez and my mother`s name is Cristina Garcia Riz. My mother is suffering from headaches, but she already has visited the doctor. My father earns a living as a farmer and also travels to the coast for three months to pick coffee beans during the harvest season in order to earn extra money to cover our expenses. My mother dedicates her time to the family and household duties. She also raises hens and pigs to sell and get some income. She would like to have some chicks because we also have enough space for them.  We are a needy family, so our priority needs are corn and groceries.

We are members of the Christian Church Spring of Light and Life. We are living in my mother`s house, and we have two adobe rooms with tin sheet roof and dirt floors with one separated kitchen. We get water from a nearby river and we use candles at night. By the grace of God, my father and the rest of my family are doing well. Thank you for your attention and may God bless you!

Huge hugs,

Edwin Mateo de la Cruz Garcia

Translated By: Gladys de Catavi, AAC Secretary-Antigua