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.

What a privilege to greet you by this means. I hope you and your family are well, and I am pleased to share with you some information about my family and me. My name is Estefania Noemi Portuguez de la Cruz. I am in good health, and I am 4 years old. I am studying this year, and I am in pre-kindergarten. My favorite meal is eggs with black beans; I like rabbits and the color I like the most is blue. I enjoy drawing with my sisters in my free time to have fun. I have four brothers and five sisters; three of them are also part of the feeding program. We live 30 minutes away. We walk to get there, and one of our big sisters goes with us to look after us.   

Fortunately, my parents are in good health; my father works as a day laborer to cover our needs. He also improves our income by traveling to the coast where he picks coffee beans once a year for two months. My mother works at home, does the cleaning, and takes care of us. We live in our own one-room house that is made of adobe, tile roof, and dirt floor; we have a kitchen. We do not have running water, so we get it from a spring through a hose. We have electricity and my father pays for it every month; at home, we have domestic animals like hens, a cow, and a dog. Some of our needs are groceries and clothes, but we believe in God’s provision, and we trust He will give us what we need; as a family, we attend Spring of Life Church. Before saying goodbye, let me tell you that my mother enrolled me and provided this information. May God bless you. I hope you like my letter, and I will be waiting to hear from you soon.

Lots of love,

Estefania Noemi Portuguez de la Cruz

Translated by: Luisa Reyes de Solis, A-A-C Secretary/Antigua