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.

Hello! My full name is Jefferson Justin Luis Portuguez, and I am glad to share my story with you. I was born on January 7, 2019. Fortunately, I am a healthy boy. I am in pre-kinder again. My favorite pastime is playing with toy cars. I like the color orange. My favorite food is fried chicken, and my favorite animals are cats. I live with my mother, stepfather, and youngest brother. My biological father has not been part of my life since I was born. He did not recognize me legally. My mother’s name is Elena Cristina Luis Portuguez. She is a housewife and raises domestic animals to contribute to the household expenses. My stepfather’s name is Raul Tzoy Simaj. He established a relationship with my mother some years ago. He works in a grocery store in the city to support our family.

My stepfather usually works for seven months, and then returns home for two weeks to rest and spend time with us. After that time, he returns to the city. As for siblings, I only have one brother. We attend a nearby church called God is Love. We live at my grandparents’ house. They are my relatives on my mother’s side. The house is made of adobe, metal sheet roofs, and dirt floors. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. My stepfather and mother help to cover the household expenses. The feeding program is about 20 minutes from where we live. My mother and I usually walk to get there. I will leave you now, but I beg you to pray for my family and our well-being. We are a low-income family, and our priorities are clothes, shoes, school supplies for me, and food, especially corn. In advance, thank you so much!

With gratitude,

Jefferson Justin Luis Portuguez

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala