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.

Hello, I am glad to share something about my family and life. Thank you so much for taking the time to read it. My name is Sandra Riz Chingo. I am almost 5 years old. I was born on October 3, 2019. I am still too young to attend school, so I stay at home. In my free time, I like playing with my dolls. I love eating rice and beans. My favorite animal is chicken, and my favorite color is blue. I live with my parents, three brothers and three sisters. Four of my siblings are registered in the feeding program. We normally walk for about 20 minutes to arrive at the program.

Pablo Riz Garcia is my father, and he earns a living by working as a day laborer. Guadalupe Chingo Morente is my mother, and she does the hard housework and helps the economy by working as a day laborer with the neighbors. Moreover, she sometimes washes clothes for others. Sadly, we do not attend any church, so I ask for your prayers so that we can start attending.

We live in our humble own house. It belongs to my mother. It has one room and a separate kitchen. The house is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We have electricity and running water services which my uncle shares with us. My father pays him every month. We have some domestic animals such as 7 chickens, 2 pigs and 2 dogs. We have many necessities, but the main ones are corn, food and shoes. I ask for your prayers for my family so that my parents find jobs every time to support our family. Lastly, I want you to know that my mother gave all this information to the LW team for you. Thank you very much for your attention and most of all for loving me from the distance. I send greetings from Guatemala. May God bless you abundantly!

Best wishes,

Sandra Riz Chingo

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua