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 Maylin Vidalia Grave Ponce. I was born on January 15, 2021 in Zacualpa, Quiche and I am 4 years old. I am a healthy girl. I am not attending school due to my young age.  Pink is my favorite color. I love cats and I like to eat fried chicken. I enjoy playing dolls in my spare time. I have four brothers and five sisters.  We go to the Feeding program along with my mother because four of my siblings are part of this Ministry, and we walk for twenty minutes to get there.  We are members of the Good Shepherd Church. I live under my parent`s care and thankfully they are in good health. My father`s name is Nazario Grave De La Cruz. He works as a farmer and he travels to the coast to pick coffee beans in order to support us financially. My mother`s name is Estela Ponce Simaj. She is a housewife and she looks after the family. She stays at home while my father travels to the coast. Moreover, she raises some hens. As a humble family, our priority needs are groceries.

We live in my father`s house. The house has three rooms and one separated kitchen made of wood, tin sheet roof and dirt floors. We have running water and electricity. My father pays the services. 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 like to read it. I send you all my love!

Lots of love,

Maylin Vidalia Grave Ponce

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