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.

Hello! I am so glad to have the opportunity to share my information through this. My full name is Debora Medalia Sucena De la Cruz Chivalan. I was born on January 12^th of 2021, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 4 years old. I am living with my parents, four brothers and three sisters; thanks to God, we are healthy. My father´s name is Victor de la Cruz Mucia. He farms the land in our village, and he also goes to pick coffee beans on the coast from November to January. My mother´s name is Marcela Chivalan de la Cruz de de la Cruz. She does the housework, and occasionally, she raises hens and a pig for our consumption.

I am still not attending school because of my young age. So, I spend my time playing with my dolls. I love the color purple and I like chicks. My favorite meal is beef broth; it is tasty. My family and I attend Prince of Peace Church. Fortunately, my mother owns the house in which we live; there is one room and a separate kitchen. It is an adobe house with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. We get water from a natural spring and do not pay for it. As for electricity, we have a solar panel. For now, our greatest needs are groceries, corn, clothes and footwear. I am so happy to be registered in the feeding program. My mother accompanies me and we walk one hour and thirty minutes to arrive. I say goodbye to you for now and I hope to hear from you soon. Every blessing for you!

Hugs and kisses,

Debora Medalia Sucena De la Cruz Chivalan

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