My Story

Cuatro Caminos "four roads", where your child lives, is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, Guatemala.  Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world.  It is a two hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa.  Cuatro Caminos is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major crops.  The Quiché Indians who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  They normally speak an Indian dialect called Quiché - however, Spanish is becoming more common.  Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

What a blessing to greet you by this means! I am Liliana Nohemi Toj Simaj, and I cannot wait to tell you a little bit about me. I was born in The United States of America on July 13, 2022. I am 4 years old, and my health is good thanks to God. I am too young to attend school. I stay at home with my mother and I spend my time playing with dolls and coloring in my book. My favorite color is purple. I like cats and enjoy eating fried chicken.

My father is Juan Tojj Cux, and my mother is Felipe Simaj Garcia. My father struggles to support us by working as a day laborer every day. Meanwhile, my mother takes care of us and the house. I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters. We all attend the feeding program together and usually walk for 30 minutes. Fortunately, they are all in good health too. As a family, we attend church. Some of our greatest needs are groceries and especially corn.

Thank God, my father owns a 3-room house made of block, cemented roof and ceramic floor. There is a separate kitchen. We have electricity services that my father pays monthly. We get our water from our own well. Our domestic animals are chickens, one sheep and one dog. Alright, thank you for your attention and especially for your interest in hearing from me. I send greetings from Guatemala and my prayers to your family and you.

In Jesus’ name,

Liliana Nohemi Toj Simaj

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua