My Story

Pasojoc is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, 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 Quiché Indians who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak an Indian dialect called Quiché - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

I am so excited to introduce myself through this! My name is Dayari Rosalina Rosales Montufar. I was born on October 22th of 2015, in Canilla, Quiche, Guatemala. I am a 9-year-old girl. My father is Erwin Leonardo Rosales. He makes a living as a farmer and usually works for other people. My mother is Maudy Rosalina Montufar Soto. She works as a pre-primary teacher. My parents support each other to supply our home needs. I have one brother and two sisters. Thankfully, I am in good health and so is my family.

I am in third grade this year. I like to play football and ride a bicycle in my spare time. I love the color pink, and the animal I like the most is the cat. I love eating fried chicken. At the moment, we do not attend any church. We are living in a rented house and the monthly payment is Q600.00 = $80.00. We have only one room and my mother cooks inside because there no kitchen. It is a block room with a cement roof and a ceramic floor. We have running water and electricity services, which my father pays for. As a family our greatest needs are corn, groceries and clothes. I am so blessed and happy to be registered in the feeding program and receive the benefits; I walk 20 minutes to arrive there. I say goodbye to you for now, but I would like to hear from you soon. May God bless you!

With much love,

Dayari Rosalina Rosales Montufar

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala