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.

Receive a cordial and an affectionate greeting on behalf of my family and me. My name is Cristian Ariel Luis Luis, and I am so glad to send you this letter with the personal information that my mother provided when she came to register me to be part of the feeding program. First, I want to tell you that I am in good health. I am 7 years old, and I am a first grader. I enjoy playing with toy cars in my free time. My favorite color is black, and what I like to eat the most is scrambled eggs with rice. I enjoy receiving my meal from the feeding program at the school where I study, and I walk 15 minutes to be there. Thankfully, my parents are healthy and hardworking people, and they struggle to cover our needs.

My father’s name is Felix Luis Mucia. He makes a living as a farmer and day laborer, while my mother dedicates herself to weaving typical clothes and raising chickens to sell. We live in our own one-room house and kitchen. It is made of metal tin sheets with wooden beams and a dirt floor. We get water from a natural spring and use a solar lamp at home. As a family, we are part of the Evangelical Church Prince of Peace. We trust the Lord provides us with everything that we need to survive both material and spiritual. Some of our greatest material needs are groceries, especially corn. Luckily, we can earn some money by picking coffee beans at the coast. My whole family and I usually travel and work there from October to February. It is time to say goodbye, but I appreciate you taking the time to read my information. Have a wonderful day!

With much love

Cristian Ariel Luis Luis

Translated by: Luisa Reyes de Solis, A-A-C Secretary/Antigua