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.

Good morning! I am so excited to introduce myself in this opportunity. My full name is Edwin Kevin Castro de la Cruz. I was born on May 24^th of 2021, in Zacualpa, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 4 years old. I live with my parents, one brother and one sister. Thankfully, we are in good health. My father is Elias Castro Castro. He works both as a farmer and day laborer in our village, and he also goes to work on the coast from November to January. My mother´s name is Elvira de la Cruz Chivalan. She does the housework, weaves typical belts and raises hens to sell. We are attending Prince of Peace Church.

Since I am very young, I am not attending school yet. I stay at home and I enjoy playing with my toy cars. I love the color green, and I like cats. My favorite meal is hen creole broth. We are living in my maternal grandmother´s house; she is also living there with some of my uncles. It is an adobe house; there is only one room with a separate kitchen. It has 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. My parents and other relatives take turns to buy the corn and groceries. For now, our greatest needs are corn, groceries, clothes and shoes. I am so happy to be registered in the feeding program. My grandmother accompanies me and we walk one hour and thirty minutes to arrive. This is all for now. May God bless you!

Bunch of hugs,

Edwin Kevin Castro de la Cruz

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