My Story

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

Hello, I am pleased to be able to greet you and tell you about myself today!  My full name is Eleiny Roxana Toj de la Cruz. I was born on March 30, 2015, in Zacualpa, Quiche Guatemala. I am now 11 years old. Israel Toj Rodriguez is my father. He left to go to the United States three years ago, and he does different types of work. However, he cannot do heavy work because he has health problems. He keeps in touch with us and sends us financial support. Pabla de la Cruz Benito is my mother. She raises hens and goes to wash clothes with our neighbors to earn income. I have two brothers and one sister. My mother, siblings, and I are in good health. But, I want you to pray for my father because he is having stomach problems; he has visited a doctor and has taken medicine. However, he continues to feel bad. In spite of that, we trust that our Lord has control over my father´s life and health.

I am in fifth grade this year, and I am not repeating my grade. I love playing with my dolls. Of all the colors, my favorite is pink. I love dogs. Some time ago, I tasted fish, and I loved it. We are a Christian family and are attending a church in our village. Thank God, we live on our own property. The house has two concrete block rooms with a tin sheet roof and a rustic cement floor. The kitchen is in one of the rooms. We have water and electricity; the water is a yearly payment, and the electricity is a monthly payment. My parents pay for them. As a family, our greatest needs are groceries, clothing and footwear. I am very happy to be enrolled in the feeding program, and I attend alongside my siblings. We walk 30 minutes to get there. Well, this is all for now, but feel free to ask for more information about me. I pray God will bless you and touch your heart to support the people of Guatemala!

With all my love,

Eleiny Roxana Toj de la Cruz

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez, A-A-C Secretary-Antigua