My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult and somewhat isolated from the outside world. Most families live in one-room adobe houses with dirt floors and a small attached kitchen. The extremely poor live in houses made of corn stalks. In the past few years electricity and water have become available to most people in the area - however, indoor plumbing is very rare. Most of the families are farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value. Life in Quiché is always a challenge.

Hello! I am very happy to share my information through this. I am Keylor Israel Toj de la Cruz. My birth date is June 2^nd, 2018. I was born in Joyabaj, Quiche, Guatemala. I am now 6 years old and I am a healthy boy. I attend 1^st grade at school this year. I like to play football and toy cars in my free time. My favorite color is yellow and the animal I like the most is the dog. I love eating fried chicken. I live with my parents, one brother and two sisters. Our pets are a cat and a dog. I am very happy to be part of the feeding program and I walk 30 minutes to get there; I attend with my older brother.

My father is Israel Toj Rodriguez. He works as a construction assistant to provide for our needs. My mother is Pabla de la Cruz Benito. She takes care of the house and raises hens. Thankfully, my mother and siblings are doing well. However, my father is dealing with Helicobacter pylori. He visited a doctor and is under medical treatment; he has good and bad days. We are members of a Christian Church. My father owns the house in which we live; there are two adobe rooms, the roof is made of tile and it has a cement floor. The kitchen is separated. We have running water and electricity services; my father pays for those services. As a family, our greatest needs are groceries and clothes. I appreciate so much that you read my letter. May God bless you!

Lots of hugs,

Keylor Israel Toj de la Cruz

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, AAC Secretary / Antigua