Maria Antonia Paz Roble, affectionately called Tonia (pronounced TONE-yah), believes she was born in Morazán, Yoro, Honduras, in 1972, although there is no way to confirm this since birthdays were not recorded nor celebrated in Tonia’s family. In the village of Morazán, everyone resided in mud houses with thatched roofs with no plumbing or electricity. The entire family had to work to carry drinking water from a stream over a mile away. That same stream served for washing both clothes and dishes, as well as bathing.

Tonia was one of six children. She recalls memories of playing with her older brothers and sister, making mud tortillas and cakes, pretending to eat “special dinners”. Tonia and her siblings created dances and performed for each other, even though they had no music. 

Tonia’s father was respected as a nice man who worked hard to feed his family, whose children often accompanied him on excursions to cut coffee, harvest beans or make compost. Their father frequently went hunting in the mountains, taking her brothers with him.  Her mother and the girls stayed in the house cooking and cleaning. It was Tonia’s job to make the family’s daily stack of tortillas. 

When the youngest girl was born, it became ten-year-old Tonia’s responsibility to care for her. She enjoyed this experience because it was like playing with the baby doll she never had.

Holidays were special in the village. Independence Day ~September 15^th ~ was celebrated with great expectancy. Christmas was also an important holiday. In Honduras, Christmas is commemorated on December 24^th with tamales and bread. Friends and family arrive from other parts of Honduras to share in the festivities ~ lots of company and new playmates!   

Tonia and her husband Elias have known each other all of their lives since their families’ houses were only a few feet from each other!

After Hurricane Mitch in 1998, there was no work in Yoro. Tonia’s brother, who had moved to Trujillo, indicated that there was work available. So with two small children, Tonia and Elias moved to Trujillo, living with her brother until Elias got a job. Currently they are the watchmen on a beach property, caring for the house and tending to the gardening responsibilities. In addition, Elias also makes cement blocks by hand. But the favorite job for the entire family is creating necklaces, earrings, and nativities from coconut shells! Tonia is also a member of Made in Honduras co-op, assisting with tending the small store. Tonia has come to appreciate seeing people purchase those items she and her family have made with their own hands.