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.

It is a pleasure to greet you today. I hope you are doing well at home. My name is Blanca Estela Morente Chingo. I would like to share with you a little bit about me. I am 7 years old. I was born on November 5, 2017. I am the son of Manuel Isaias Morente Ajqui. He is not living with us because he traveled to The United Stated one year ago. He is a carpenter. He keepsin touch with us and supports us. My mother´s name is Blanca Lidia Chingo Ruiz. She takes care of us and the house. I have one brother and one sister. My sister is registered in the feeding program. We usually walk for 15 minutes to arrive at the program.

Taking about me, well, I am in kindergarten at school this year. I love eating fried chicken. My favorite color is purple, and my favorite animal is the cat. Our health is good thanks to God. My hobby is playing with dolls. My family attends the Lamb of God Church. We live in my paternal grandmother´s house. It is a two-room house with a separated kitchen. It has adobe walls, tile roof and cement floor. There are electricity and running water services. They both share the payment of those services. Our domestic animals are chickens. As a family, we have many necessities, but the main one is food and corn. Well, this is a short story of my life. My mother helped me to give all this information to the LW team just for you. Well, I have to say goodbye for now. Please take care of yourself. I send you many greetings from Guatemala.

Many blessings,

Blanca Estela Morente Chingo

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua