My Story

Tunaja is a very primitive area of the state of Quiche, Guatemala. The inhabitants are Quiche Mayans who trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. The prevalent language is the Mayan dialect - Quiche. 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 Tunaja is extremely difficult.

Many greetings! It is a pleasure to greet you hoping that you are doing well. My name is Floridalma Tomasa Riz Coj, and I am a happy and healthy 5-year-old girl. I am not in school yet because of my young age. In my free time, I like to play with my dolls, paint, draw, and jump. My favorite color is purple, my favorite animal is a sheep, and my favorite food is fried chicken.

Both of my biological parents live with me. My father works as a farmer and day laborer to take care of our needs. My mother is a hardworking housewife and occasionally sells hens to support us economically. I have one sibling: one sister. I am joyful to say that we are all healthy, and God has taken good care of us. Also, we attend a Catholic church. I live in a village called Tunaja, and it takes me 40 minutes to walk to the feeding program. My humble house has walls made of tablets, the roof is made of tin sheet, and the floor is made of dirt. There is one room, and we cook in a galley. My grandmother and aunt also lives with us. We have chickens, sheep, and a pig at home, too. We have neither running water, a bathroom with plumbing, nor electricity at home. To obtain water, a neighbor allows us to use their water, so we carry it from their house to ours. To see at night, we use lanterns. When we need to use the bathroom, we go out into the field. My father owns the house. Our greatest needs are groceries, clothes, and to better the house. I say goodbye to you for now hoping God takes care of you and pours out many blessings upon you!

The Living Waters Evangelism Team is speaking to families in Quiche by phone call. They spoke to my mother to receive information pertaining to me.

With lots of love,

Floridalma Tomasa Riz Coj

Translated by: Kalyan Marroquin / AAC Missionary Intern