My Story

Tunajá is a very primitive area of the state of Quiché, Guatemala.  The inhabitants are Quiché Indians who trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  The prevalent language is the Indian dialect - Quiché.  The people are either farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors.  Very little money ever changes hands as they use a barter system. Public education is available - however, most families cannot afford it.  Electricity and running water are not available in most of the area.  Life in Tunajá is extremely difficult.

I am Maximiliano Toj Morente, and I am so happy to share about my life and family. I am doing well thanks to God. I was born on July 19, 2017. I am 7 years old. At school, I am in the 2nd grade this year. I enjoy playing with toy trucks. My favorite food is sausages. I like red, and my favorite animal is the goose. I have two brothers and one sister. My brother Manuel is my twin. All of my siblings are enrolled in the feeding program also. We like attending there together and my mother takes us every time. We take a bus for 15 minutes to be there.

My father´s name is Trancito Toj Hernandez. He sustains us by working as a farmer. My mother´s name is Marta Juli Morente Grave de Toj. She is a housewife but earns extra money by weaving typical clothes. They are all healthy. My family are members of the Prince of Peace Church. Unfortunately, my parents do not own a house. We live in my paternal grandmother´s house. We do not pay anything. There are three rooms and a separate kitchen. It is made of block, tile roof and cement floor. There is an artisanal well where we get water. There is electricity and my parents pay for it every month. We do not have any domestic animals. I know this is the first time that you heard about me, but I would like to ask for your prayers for my family because my parents want to save some money to start building our own house. Well, thank you so much for your interest in me. My mother helped me to give this information for you. May God bless you today and always!

With love,

Maximiliano Toj Morente

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua