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 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 name is Cristian Noriel Grave Garcia, and it is a pleasure to tell you about me. I was born on May 30, 2020, so I am now 4 years old. I am in good health, and I do not attend school yet due to my age. In my free time, I like playing with my toy cars. I love the color red, and I enjoy eating fried chicken. The dog is my favorite animal. My mother’s name is Carmelina Garcia Poncio, and she sells fruits and snacks to cover our needs; she also goes to pick coffee beans at the coast from December to January. My father’s name is Rigoberto Grave Ordonez, but sadly he abandoned us and has never supported me financially.

We live in a house that belongs to my maternal grandmother, and we share it with my grandparents and uncles. The house has three rooms and a separated kitchen, and it is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and concrete floor; my mom and I use one of the rooms. We have electricity and running water services, and my mom helps to pay these bills. My family and I are not attending a church at the moment. I would like to ask for your prayers for us since we are always in need of groceries and corn. I am happy to be part of the feeding program, and I walk for 20 minutes to arrive there. I say goodbye to you for now.

Kisses and hugs

Cristian Noriel Grave Garcia

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary/Antigua