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.

My full name is Hilary Petrona Toj Guarcas and I am pleased to share a little bit about my life with you. I was born on November 25, 2017. Thankfully, I am a healthy 7-year-old girl. I am enrolled in first grade. My favorite pastime is playing with my dolls. I like the color green, my favorite animals are cats, and I love having fried chicken for my meals. I live with my parents and sisters. I have three sisters but no brothers. My mother is Maria Josefina Guarcas de la Cruz. She makes typical blouses to help my father with the household expenses. My father is Esdras Joel Toj Hernandez. He works as a minibus driver the whole week to support our family. Our priorities are groceries. By the grace of the Lord, nobody is sick. We attend Liberty Church in Zacualpa town.

We live in our own house. It is made of concrete blocks with a tin sheet roof and a concrete floor. It has two rooms, a separate kitchen, electricity, and an artisanal well to get water. We raise chickens and hens at home for our consumption. The feeding program is about 15 minutes from my house. My sisters and I get there on foot. I will leave you now, but I send you many blessings. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely yours,

Hilary Petrona Toj Guarcas

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary/Antigua Guatemala