My Story

Chuchuca, 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 more than a two-hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa. Chuchuca is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major crops. The Quiché Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan 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.

Hello! I am Alicia Elida Toj Garcia. I was born on February 15, 2013, and I am 10 years old. This year I am repeating second grade at school. I love dogs, and my favorite color is pink. The meal I love is noodles. I like dolls and I enjoy playing in my spare time. I have two brothers and two sisters. Thank God, my family and I are fine. My father’s name is Pedro Toj Chingo. Unfortunately, he abandoned us last year and does not support us in any way; we see him and he says hello to us, but that is it. My mother’s name is Estela Garcia de la Cruz. Now, my mother is struggling to supply our needs; she works as a day laborer and weaves typical blouses to get income. She also raises hens.

We are members of the Assembly of God Church. Fortunately, my father left us the house to live in; there are two rooms and a small space we use as a kitchen. Our rooms are made of adobe walls with a roof made of tin sheets and a floor that is just dirt. We have running water service and my mother pays for it. One of our neighbors is sharing electricity with us. As a family, we need groceries and clothes.  I live about 30 minutes away from the feeding program. My mother Estela Garcia provided my personal information to the Living Water staff for my registration in the program. Take care of yourself. Many blessings!

Best wishes,

Alicia Elida Toj Garcia

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala