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 am Ariana Yuleisy Petrona Tino Luis. I feel so happy to have this opportunity to tell you a little about my life and family. I was born in Zacualpa on June 14, 2018. I am 6 years old. My health is good. I like playing with my dolls. My favorite animal is the dog, and I like purple. I attend the 1st grade at school. I love eating fried chicken. I only have one sister. I attend the feeding program with my mom. We usually walk for 40 minutes.

My whole family is healthy. My father is Mario Antonio Tino Gutierrez. He is a farmer but also travels for three months to the coast to clean the coffee plants. My mother is Laura Luis Gomez. She is a housewife but improves the incomes by washing clothes for others in Zacualpa. Besides that, she sells herbs in the local plaza of Zacualpa on Thursdays and Sundays. We attend the Catholic Church. This time, I want to ask for your prayers for us because my parents are working hard and praying for God to help them to buy our own house.

We live at my grandparents´ house. There are three rooms and a separate kitchen. We use only two rooms. It is made of block, tin sheet roof and ceramic floor. We have a well to get water and we have electricity. My parents and grandparents share electricity expenses every month. We raise some chickens for our consumption. Alright, this is all I can share for now. I send you many blessings and my best wishes for this New Year. Please take care!

Lots of love,

Ariana Yuleisy Petrona Tino Luis

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua