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, I greet you in the name of Jesus hoping you are fine. I am grateful for this first opportunity to share about my family and me. I am Viviana Mishel Guarcas Ruiz. My parents are Jenry Antonio Guarcas Ruiz and Santos Ruiz Hernandez. My father farms the land to earn some money while my mother does the hard work at home and takes care of my siblings and me. I have one brother and two sisters. Thank God, all my family is healthy. Nevertheless, I have a sister who has a harelip. Fortunately, she is under treatment, and she has been operated on three times.

I will turn 6 years old this year. I was born on October 3, 2019. I am in pre-kinder at school. My hobby is playing with dolls. I like chickens and my favorite color is green. I love eating fried chicken. Praise God, I am a healthy girl. It is a blessing for me to be part of the feeding program, so I usually walk with my sister for 20 minutes to get there.

We live together with my maternal grandmother, aunts and cousins in a humble house made of adobe, tile roof and cemented floor. It belongs to my grandmother. There are three rooms and a separate kitchen. There is running water and electricity, and my parents share the payment with my other relatives that live in the house. We have sheep and chickens as domestic animals. We attend the Catholic Church. As a family, we pray to the Lord to bless my parents with work to be able to have our own house. Please pray for us. Alright, it is time to say goodbye for now. I appreciate that you have read this. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Blessings and hugs,

Viviana Mishel Guarcas Ruiz

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua