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.

May the grace of the Lord be with you! I am so happy because I can share with you a little about my personal information through this letter. My full name is Manuel Luis Luis and I am a healthy 9-year-old boy. I was born on January 25, 2017. My favorite pastime is playing with toy cars. I like the color red and my favorite animals are rabbits. What I love eating the most is fried chicken. I enjoy receiving my meal from the feeding program at the school where I study, and I walk 15 minutes to be there. I live with parents and siblings. I have four brothers and two sisters. My parents are the ones who strive to supply groceries like corn and our family needs. Thankfully, everybody is doing well.

My father’s name is Felix Luis Mucia. He makes a living as a farmer and a day laborer. While he keeps busy in the field, my mother also works hard at home by weaving typical clothes and raising chickens to sell. We live in our own one-one room house with a kitchen. It is made of tin sheet with wooden beams and dirt floor. We get water from a nearby spring and use a solar lamp at home. As for our spiritual life, I tell you that we are part of an Evangelical Church called Prince of Peace. God has been good with us because we can earn extra income as a family at the coast. We usually travel there in October and work on a coffee farm until February. This is all for now, but I send you my best wishes. Until next time!

Sincerely yours

Manuel Luis Luis

Translated by: Hillary Popol, A-A-C Secretary/Antigua