My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult. Most families live in one-room adobe houses with dirt floors and a small, attached kitchen. The extremely poor live in houses made of corn stalks. In the past few years, electricity and water have become available to most people in the area - however, indoor plumbing is very rare. Most of the families are farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value.  Life in Quiché is always a challenge.

Hello! It is a pleasure to tell you a little about me through this letter. I am Maria Odilia Elizabeth Grave Pol, and I am now 5 years old. I was born on February 8, 2019. I am in kindergarten this year. In my spare time, I enjoy playing dolls and toy dishes. My favorite color is pink. The animal that I like the most is the cow. I like to eat rice with sausage. My father is Mario Grave Toj, and he earns a living working as a farmer and also as a day laborer while my mother stay at home taking care of us and doing her chores. She spends time tending her grocery store. My mother’s name is Petrona Pol Tzoc. My mother also raises a cow in order to earn a little money. Thank God, all my family is well. My family and I attend a church called Immanuel Assembly of God.

We have our own house. There is one room and a separate kitchen. The house is made of block wall, tin sheet roof and cement floor. We have electricity but not running water. My mother goes with my grandmother to wash our clothes or anything we need. Our main need is groceries. I walk about 20 minutes to come to the feeding program. I have one brother but he does not attend the feeding program. My mother helped me to give my information. God bless you and I hope to hear from you soon.

Kisses with much love

Maria Odilia Elizabeth Grave Pol

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary