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! It is nice to greet you from Guatemala. It is a blessing that you choose to know more from my family and me. I am Esdras Yovani Garcia Ruiz. I am the son of Alvaro Yovani Garcia Chingo and Cecilia Ruiz Canil. They are my parents and live with me. My father is a mason´s helper while my mother is a housewife. I only have one brother. They are healthy except for my mother who suffers from gastritis. For that reason, I want to ask for your prayers for her because she is not under treatment currently.

I am 4 years old and my health is good. I was born on August 7, 2022, in Joyabaj Quiche. I am still too young to attend school. At home, I like painting. My favorite color is blue. I like sheep. I love eating eggs and sausages. I only have one sister. I attend the feeding program alongside my mother or sometimes my cousins. I usually walk for 5 minutes to get there. As a family, we faithfully attend the Prince of Peace Church.

We live alone in a humble house that belongs to my father. It has three rooms including the kitchen. It is made of tin sheet roof, cemented floor and block walls. We have running water that my parents pay for annually, and the electricity service that must be paid for every month. Our domestic animals are chickens and pigs. As a family, our greatest need is food. Well, I will say goodbye, but not before saying thanks for reading this. I love you and send you my best wishes.

Many blessings,

Esdras Yovani Garcia Ruiz

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua