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 Alan Fildany Simaj Gonzalez, and it is my pleasure to greet you today. Let me share a little bit about me. I am 8 years old. I was born on Mach 19, 2017. Thankfully, my health is good. I am a second-grade student. My favorite color is red, and I like cats. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer. My favorite dish is beef broth. I usually walk for 20 minutes to get to the feeing program along with my mom and siblings. I have one brother and one sister. Fortunately, my father owns a humble house where we live. It is made of adobe, tin sheet roof and cemented and dirt floor.  There are three rooms and a kitchen. We share the house with my paternal aunt. There is running water and electricity that my father pays. Our domestic animals are cats. As a family, we need corn, groceries, clothes and school supplies.

Eduardo Simaj is my father. He lives with us and supports my family by farming the land. My mother´s name is Hilda Gonzalez Luis. She lives with us. She is a housewife but helps economically by weaving. This time, I would like to ask for your prayers for my parents because they are going through health difficulties. My father has problems with one of his lungs and his cholesterol while my mother has gastritis and fatty liver. Currently they are taking natural medicine. Finally, I want to tell you that we are attending a church currently. Well, this is all for now. Thank you very much for loving me from the distance and showing interest in knowing about me. May God bless you richly! Sending greetings from Guatemala with much love!

Best regards,

Alan Fildany Simaj Gonzalez

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua