My Story

Tunaja is a small area of the state of Quiché, Guatemala. The inhabitants are Quiché Mayans who trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. The prevalent language is the Mayani 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 Tunaja is difficult.

Hello! I am Josselin Roxana and I am 11 years old. I was born in Zacualpa, Quiche on February 17^th, 2012. I come from a humble family who lives in Tunaja. I attend 3^rd grade at school and I am not repeating. My favorite dish is scrambled eggs. I like cats and the color purple. My hobby is playing with dolls. Fortunately, I am a healthy girl.

Luis Antonio de la Cruz Morente is my father. Unfortunately, he abandoned us three weeks ago. He went to live with another family. He works as a mason and sometimes as a day laborer. He still has communication with us and helps us a little economically. My mother is afraid that he will not continue supporting our family. Juana Garcia Grave is my mother. She is a homemaker and sometimes raises domestic animals to sell. I have one brother and two sisters. One sister and I are register in the feeding program. We walk for three hours to attend there. Sadly, we do not attend any church, but I hope we do soon.

Thank God, we live in our own house, and we do not share it with someone else. It is made of dirt floor, tin sheet roof and adobe walls. We do not have running water because my father stopped the service due to the many debts he has. For that reason, one neighbor gives us water for our consumption and my mother goes to a river to wash the clothes. Besides that, we do not have electricity services, so we only use the sunlight. We have ducks and chickens at home. As a family, we are in need of food and clothes for my siblings and me. I appreciate that you read my short story and I thank my mother for giving all this information to the LW teacher. Moreover, I ask you to pray for my family because we are facing a difficult time without my father. My mother does not know what to do in this situation. Thank you so much and please take care of yourself. I send kisses and hugs from the distance!

Best regards from now on,

Josselin Roxana de la Cruz Garcia

Translated by: Mireya de Sadoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua