My Story

Pasojoc is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiche, 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. Pasojoc is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major corps. The Quiche Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

Hello! My name is Edison Everaldo Toj Luis, and it is a big pleasure to share with you a little about my life. I am a healthy 11-year-old boy, and I hope you find my information engaging. I was born on February 25, 2015. I am in fourth grade at school, and I love playing soccer. My favorite color is red. I enjoy having fried chicken for my meals and my favorite animals are dogs. I am glad because my family is doing well. I live with my parents and siblings. I have one brother and four sisters. One of my cousins and her daughter lives with us too. My father’s name is Pedro Toj. He makes a living as a farmer and day laborer. In addition, he dedicates part of his time to serve the Lord as pastor of our Church called God is Love.

My mother’s name is Maria Luis Musia de Toj. She is a housewife and sells chickens to contribute to the household expenses. Besides chickens, she raises sheep. Please pray for us and our needs. Most of them are school supplies and food. We are a humble family and live in our own one-room house. It is made of adobe with tile roof and dirt floor. It has a separated kitchen made of tin sheets and wood. We have electricity and get water from a spring, which is in our property. I am so happy to be part of the feeding program in Pasojoc I. I only have to walk for two minutes from my house to enjoy delicious meals. See you later!

Special regards,

Edison Everaldo Toj Luis

Translated by: Hillary Popol, A-A-C Secretary / Guatemala