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.

What a blessing to greet you today! I hope you are doing fine and healthy. My name is Wendy Mariela Morente Ruiz, and I am excited to start telling you about my family and me. I am 8 years old. I was born on September 1, 2016. I am a first-grade student this year. My hobbies are playing with dolls and soccer. My favorite dish is fried chicken. I like pink, and my favorite animal is the rabbit. Thank God, my health is good. I live with my parents, one brother and one sister. I like attending the feeding program, and I usually walk for 30 minutes to be there.

My father is Jacobo Israel Morente de la Cruz. He struggles to support us by making roof tiles, and by working as a farmer. My mother´s name is Cesia Petronila Ruiz Morente de Morente. She dedicates her time to looking after me and doing the hard housework. Fortunately, my family is healthy too. We are members of the Church of God. We live in a humble house that belongs to my father. It has one room and one kitchen. It is made of adobe, tile roof and cement floor. There is running water and electricity. We get our water from an artisan well. My paternal grandfather shares the electricity service with us, so the payment is shared with my father. We only have some chickens such as domestic animals. We have many necessities, but the main ones are corn and food. Well, this is all for now. I appreciate that you took time to read it. Thank you so much. May God bless you every other way!

With lots of love,

Wendy Mariela Morente Ruiz

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua