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.

Many greetings from Guatemala! I hope you are doing well. My name is Brandon Estyven Yahis Noriega Grave, and it is such a pleasure to share with you a little about my life. I was born on June 14, 2019. I am in first grade at school. My favorite color is yellow and I love having eggs for my meals. I like dogs and my favorite pastimes are playing with my toy cars and soccer. I am a single child in my family. I live with my parents and some relatives on my mother’s side. They are my grandmother, and two of my aunts. We attend an Evangelical Church called Christian Life. My father’s name is Brandon Daniel Noriega Urizar. He works as a tuk-tuk taxi driver to support our family.

On the other hand, my mother keeps busy doing the chores and taking care of me. Her name is Estela Grave Hernandez. Thankfully, we are all in good health. The house where we live belongs to my grandmother, Maria Hernandez. It has three rooms and a separated kitchen, which is made of adobe with tile roof and concrete floor. We have electricity and running water. Everybody contributes to cover the expenses. We also raise chickens, pigs and a cow for our consumption. I am so happy because I am already part of the feeding program in Pasojoc I. I live about a 15-minute walk far away from it. I will leave you now, but I hope to hear from you soon.

Lots of love,

Brandon Estyven Yahis Noriega Grave

Translated by: Hillary Popol, A-A-C Secretary / Guatemala