My Story

Pasojoc III, where your child lives, is located in an extremely remote area of the mountains in Quiche, Guatemala.  Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is a 3-hour walk to the nearest market town.  The people who inhabit the area are Quiche Mayans who can trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche, however, Spanish is becoming more common.  The climate is basically warm, but it can get very cold at night.  Houses in this area are typically constructed of adobe with tin sheet or tile roofs and dirt floors.  Pasojoc III is an area rich with natural resources.  It is a farming area where the inhabitants grow staples such as corn, beans and other types of vegetables.  Many families also raise domestic animals such as sheep, goats, cows and chickens.

Hello, my name is Osbaldo Cruz Grave. I was born on January 24, 2017 in Zacualpa, Quiche and I am 8 years old. I am a healthy boy.  I am in 2^nd grade at school this year.  My favorite color is red, I like dogs and I prefer to eat fried chicken. I enjoy riding a bike in my spare time. I have three brothers and two sisters.  Three of them are part of the Feeding Program and we walk only 5 minutes to get there.  As a family, we attend the church. My parents are in good health. My father`s name is Miguel Cruz Garcia. He travels to the coast to pick coffee beans three times per year. He stays there for 3 months and then he returns to the house in order to support us financially. My mother`s name is Catarina Grave Simaj de Cruz. She is a housewife and looks after us. She stays at home while my father travels to the coast. Moreover, she raises some hens and turkeys. As a humble family, our priority needs are groceries.

We live in our own house and my paternal grandmother lives with us.  The house has two rooms and one separated kitchen made of wood, tin sheet roof and dirt floors. The rooms are made of adobe, also tin sheet roof and dirt floors.  We have running water and electricity. Thankfully, my father pays the water service once a year and the electricity every month. We would like to have some chicks because we have space in the house for them. This is my personal information and I hope you enjoy reading it. I send you all my love!

Strong hugs,

Osbaldo Cruz Grave

Translated by:  Gladys Chavez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua