My Story

I feel greatly blessed to say hello to you through this update. My name is Cristian Alexander, and I hope you are having a fantastic day wherever you are. My family and I attend the Catholic Church every Friday. I live with my grandparents, on my mother’s side. Sadly, my mother abandoned me because she has another family. She either helps me economically. My grandpa, Manuel Toj, works in a tile factory. He does her best for my grandma and me, but it is hard for him because there are many expenses and needs to cover at home. Clothes and groceries are our greatest needs. My grandma, Juana Gutierrez, is a housewife. She helps my grandpa to harvest corn for our consumption. Fortunately, we are healthy and I can attend the feeding program. This project is a blessing for me because of the tasty lunches that I can receive.

I am in fifth grade and I agree to receive face-to-face classes. It is much better to stay in class to learn and understand the lessons. I would like to make a living as a day laborer when I am older. My favorite holiday is Christmas because my family and I prepare the traditional and tasty tamales. I love drinking soft drinks and playing soccer. I would love to speak a new language like English. I hope to do it someday. My birthday was in September. What I love the most is having a special lunch and eating a cake to celebrate a new year of life with my grandparents. To end this letter, I want you to know that a teacher of LW spoke with my grandma to collect all my news for you. She also encouraged my grandma to continue growing spiritually. I say goodbye to you for now, but I send you my best wishes.

Sincerely yours,

Cristian Alexander Toj Gutierrez

Translated by: Hillary Popol / AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala