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 laborers. 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, let me take some time to introduce myself and my family. I feel so blessed for this opportunity. I am Wendy Isabel Chingo Ixtos. I was born on March 25, 2013. I will turn 12 years old soon. Thank God, my health is good. I am currently a fifth-grade student. I like purple, and my favorite animal is a panda. I love tasty beef stew. In my free time, I like riding my bicycle. I have five brothers and three sisters. Two of them usually walk with me for 30 minutes to attend the feeding program.

We are all Catholics. As a family, our greatest necessity is food. My father´s name is Mateo Chingo de la Cruz. He earns a living by farming the land. After he gets the harvest, he sells it to support our family. My mother´s name is Marta Ixtos Ixquiactap. She is a housewife but also helps my dad with the farming.  Thank God, both of my parents are healthy.

Fortunately, my parents own a humble house where we live alone. There are three rooms and a separate kitchen. It has adobe walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. There is also an artisanal well where we get our water. We have electricity that my father pays for every month. Our domestic animals are chickens. Well, this is a little about my life. Thank you for your attention and most of all for loving me. I send you greetings and hugs from Guatemala.

Best regards,

Wendy Isabel Chingo Ixtos

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua