My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiche, 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 Quiche is always a challenge.

 Hello! My full name is Brayan Estuardo Simaj Toj, and I am delighted to write this letter to you.  I am 4 years old, and thanks to God, I am in good health. I was born on February 10th, 2020. I am not attending school yet. My favorite pastime is playing soccer with my friends. One of my favorite foods is fried chicken. I love to eat it. I like hens and my favorite color is blue. Now, let me tell you a little about my family. Thankfully, they are healthy. I live with my mother, and I have two brothers and four sisters, and some of them already married. Unfortunately, I do not live with my father. He left us one year ago. I have communication with him from time to time. My mother has been involved in two relationships, but sadly both abandoned her. My mother struggles a lot to cover our expenses. She washes clothes for other people and is day laborer too. We live in my mother´s house. It has two rooms and the kitchen is separate. It is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We do not have running water or electricity. One of our neighbors gives us water. We bring it in jars from his home. We use candles to light the house. My mother raises some hens. We are a family with many needs and some of them are groceries. We attend Prince of Peace Church. My house is located about 25 minutes away from the feeding program. We get there on foot. Take care. Every blessing for you!

Hugs and kisses,

Brayan Estuardo Simaj Toj 

Translated by: Magnolia De Torres / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala