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.

I want to tell you that I am so happy to be able to greet you today and tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Sandra Maribel Toj Ruiz. I was born on April 8, 2015, in Joyabaj, Quiche, Guatemala. I am 11 years old, and I am a healthy girl. I am attending 5^th grade. I enjoy pretending to cook with my siblings. My favorite color is purple, and my favorite animal is the lion. Something I love to eat is fried chicken. We are Christians and attend the Assembly of God Church. I am so excited to be enrolled in the feeding program; I get there in 30 minutes by microbus. My mom and grandma are going to take me to the program.

This is my family's story. I do not know who my father was, and sadly, my mother abandoned me right after I was born. My mother´s name is Pabla Toj Ruiz, and she is not interested in caring for me or supporting me. I am so grateful to God because Mrs. Bacilia Riz Riz and Mr. Camilo de la Cruz adopted me and have cared for me since I was born. My adoptive father is working in the United States; he works as a gardener and sends us financial support. My adoptive mother works as a day laborer; she can supply our needs in this way. She also raises hens and turkeys. I have four adoptive brothers and one adoptive sister. Luckily, my family is in good health. The house in which we live belongs to my adoptive parents. There are two adobe rooms; the roof is made of tin sheets, and we have a dirt floor and a cement floor. The kitchen is separate. We have running water and electricity services. The water is a yearly payment, and the electricity is a monthly payment. Our greatest needs are groceries and a stove. I have to say goodbye now. I hope you have enjoyed reading my information today. May God bless you wherever you go!

A bunch of hugs,

Sandra Maribel Toj Ruiz

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