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! It is a pleasure to greet you from the mountains in Quiche. My full name is Osman Abel de la Cruz Luis, and I am excited to share with you a little about my life. I was born on December 24, 2015. Fortunately, I am a healthy boy. I attend the third grade at school. My favorite hobby is playing with my toy cars. I like the color blue and my favorite animals are dogs. About food, I love having pizza and fried chicken. I am grateful to the Lord because I have a lovely family.

My mother’s name is Juana de la Cruz Luis. She is working hard in a tortilleria business in the city to support my brother and me. Because of her work and long distance, she only visits us when she is able to do it. We are only two children in my family. I do not have my father with me because he abandoned us. The only thing I know about him is that he traveled to the United States. Sadly, he did not want to recognize me legally as his son. While my mother works in the city, my brother and I live under the care of my grandparents.

My grandmother’s name is Maria Luis Alvarez. She raises chickens and pigs for our consumption. We live in a two-room with a separated kitchen, which belongs to my grandparents. We have electricity and running water. Some of my uncles live with us, too. They contribute to the household expenses. I am glad to be part of the feeding program in Pasojoc. It is about a 15-minute walk from where I live. This is all for now, but I appreciate you taking the time to read my information.

Kind regards,

Osman Abel de la Cruz Luis

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