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.

Special regards to you! This is Melanie Andrea Garcia Simaj, and I was born on April 30, 2021. I am too young to attend school. So, I stay home and play with my toys and balls. I love eating fried chicken. My favorite color is red. I like domestic animals, but my favorites are chickens. Fortunately, I am a healthy girl and have a lovely family. My father’s name is Antonio Garcia Mendez. He works as a mason’s helper. My mother’s name is Maria Luisa Simaj Simaj. She keeps busy doing the housework and taking care of my siblings and me. I have two brothers and three sisters. We attend a nearby Christian Church called New Life. We live with our relatives on my father’s side. The owner of the house is my grandfather, Manuel Morente. The house is made of adobe with metal sheet roofs and dirt floors. It has four rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. My family and I live in one room. My father helps to pay for the electricity bill. I am glad because I am already part of the feeding program. It is about one hour away from where we live. We usually walk to get there. I will leave you now, but I kindly ask you to pray for my family and our needs. Our priority is food. See you later!

Kisses and hugs,

Melanie Andrea Garcia Simaj

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala