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! My name is Wilson Argueta Morente. I was born on February 7, 2020, in Joyabaj, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 5 years old and I am a healthy boy. Since I am too young, I am not attending school yet. So, I spend my time playing with my stuffed toy and football. I love the color blue, and my favorite animal is the cat. I love to eat fried chicken. I have two brothers and one sister. I am very happy to be registered in the feeding program; I get there by walking in 10 minutes; my mother accompanies me.

My father´s name was Noe Argueta. Unfortunately, he passed away about 6 months ago due to body pain and cough; he went to the health center and received medication. However, it did not help and he died. My mother´s name is Martina Morente Ajqui. She does the housework, raises hens to sell and grows herbs to sell. My maternal grandma helps with some food, but it is only once in a while. She is Ignacia Ajqui Gutierrez, and she grows herbs to sell. Since my father is not with us anymore, my mother is struggling to supply our needs. Please pray for my family and that we can overcome my father´s absence. Thank God, my family is in good health. We attend the Catholic Church.

The house in which we live belongs to my maternal grandmother; one uncle is living there too. There are two adobe rooms. The roof is made of tin sheets and it has a dirt floor. The kitchen is separate and is entirely made of tin sheets. We have running water and electricity; my mother and grandma pay for them. Our greatest needs are groceries, corn and clothes. Thank you for reading my information, and I would like to hear from you very soon. May God bless you wherever you are!

Lots of love,

Wilson Argueta Morente

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