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 crops. 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.

I am blessed to greet you and to introduce myself to you. My name is Antonio Osvaldo Grave Muz and I was born on December 18, 2020. I am a 5-year-old-boy and I am not enrolled at school yet due to my age. I stay at home every day and I play soccer and swing. I love sheep and my favorite meal is black beans and rice. I am happy because I receive delicious meals which are made with much love in the project from the Ministry that is located in the local school from Pasojoc I. My brother Eduard Gustavo and I walk thirty minutes to come there and we prefer to attend there because it is closer. My family and I are doing fine and in good health. We belong to the Christian Life Church. My father is working as a farmer and day laborer. Furthermore, he travels to the coast two or three times per year to pick coffee beans for three months to earn extra money. However, sometimes it is not enough to cover every expense and our priority needs are groceries and clothing. My father`s name is Romeo Grave Gutierrez and my mother`s name is Ana Herlinda Muz Soc. She is a stay-at-home mom and she takes care of us. We are a humble family and our current needs are groceries and clothes. Fortunately, we live in my paternal grandmother’s house and her name is Isabela Gutierrez. We do not need to pay a rent. My paternal uncles and grandmother live there. The house is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floors with one separated kitchen. We have electricity and running water. My parents share the payments for those services with my grandparents. Every month they pay for electricity and once a year they pay the water bill. We have some hens at home. Well, this was my little story and thank you for your attention. I send you many blessings!

Strong hugs,

Antonio Osvaldo Grave Muz

Translated by: Gladys Chavez, AAC Secretary-Antigua