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 Isabel Esthefania Morente Ruiz, and I feel so happy to greet you from Guatemala. I would like to share something about my family and me. My father´s name is Jeremias Morente de la Cruz, and my mother´s is Josefina Ruiz Ajqui. However, I just live with my mother because my father traveled to The United States. He lives and works there. He keeps in touch with us and sends money for our support every month. Meanwhile, my mother takes care of us and the house. She contributes to the income by weaving typical blouses. I have one brother and one sister who are part of the feeding program too. Fortunately, all of them are healthy.

I was born in Zacualpa on March 3, 2020. I am a healthy 5-year-old girl, who likes dogs and the color pink. In my free time, I enjoy playing with dolls and doing my homework. My favorite meal is black beans with eggs or sausages. I am in kindergarten at school. I like attending the feeding program. My mother takes me, and we usually walk for 10 minutes to get there. As a family, we attend church currently.

Thankfully, we live in our own house that has two rooms and a kitchen. It is made of adobe, tin sheet roof and cemented floors. We have electricity but bring the running water through a hose from my maternal aunt’s house. I have a pet dog at home. Some of our greatest needs, for which I would appreciate your prayers, are food, clothes and shoes. Thank you. Well, thank you for your attention and interest in hearing from me. I pray God blesses you wherever you are and blesses your family too. Take care!

Best regards,

Isabel Esthefania Morente Ruiz

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua