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 Indians who can trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak an Indian 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, I am so excited to share a little bit about myself. My full name is Juan Rudy Grave Morente. I was born on February 26, 2021. I am a healthy 4-year-old boy who lives in Guatemala in a town called Pasojoc III. I live with my parents and one brother. I am not attending school because of my young age. For now, I enjoy playing football at home. I love the color blue. I like cats and ducks. The meal I love the most is fried chicken. My father farms the land and works as a day laborer to provide for our home needs. Moreover, he goes to pick coffee beans on the coast from November to February. His name is Domingo Grave de la Cruz, and fortunately, he is in good health. My mother usually stays busy with the chores at home, and she also raises hens, turkeys and pigs to sell and help herself economically. Her name is Maria Morente Toj, and I am so happy because she is in good health.

For now, we do not attend any church. We live in my grandparents’ house, and my uncles live there too. There are two rooms and a kitchen. It is an adobe room with a tin sheet roof, and a dirt floor. We do not have running water or electricity. Fortunately, there is a river and we bring water home in plastic containers. We use candles at night to get light. The essential needs for us are groceries, corn and clothes. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be registered in the feeding program and receive the benefits. That is all for now, but feel free to ask me anything you would like to know. May God bless you wherever you are!

A bunch of hugs,

Juan Rudy Grave Morente

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala