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 Liliana Marisol Riz Pu, and I am glad to share a little about my life with you. I was born on November 22, 2020. I am too young to attend school, so I stay home. My favorite pastime is playing with my dolls. I like the color pink. My favorite animals are cats. I love having black beans and sausages for my meals. Fortunately, I am a healthy girl. Now, let me tell you about my family. My father’s name is Antonio Riz Tum. He works as a farmer and day laborer in our village. He also travels to the coast to work on a coffee plantation from November to March. He usually takes my family and me with him. My mother’s name is Maribela Pu Gomez.

She keeps busy doing the chores and taking care of my brother and me. At the moment, I only have one brother. We are Christians and attend a nearby church called King of the Centuries. We usually go there on Wednesdays and Fridays. My family and I live in the house of our relatives on my father’s side. The owner of the house is my grandmother, Dominga Tum. The house is made of adobe and concrete blocks, a concrete roof, and a dirt floor. It has three rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and running water. We raise some chickens for our consumption, although we occasionally sell them in case of need. Our priorities are groceries. The feeding program is about 30 minutes away from where I live. My mother and I usually walk to get there. I will leave you now, but I appreciate you taking the time to read my letter. Take care of yourself!

With much love,

Liliana Marisol Riz Pu

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala