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.

I am so glad to greet you today. I am Yoselin Elena Ixporcuac. It is a blessing that you are interested in knowing me better. Let me tell you that I am a healthy girl. I am 5 years old. I am too young to attend school, so I spend my time playing with dolls at home. My favorite color is purple, and I like rabbits. I enjoy eating fried chicken. My mother´s name is Josefa Magdalena Ixporcuac Coj. My biological father is Delmo Quixan Luis. Unfortunately, he did not legally recognize me because he was in The United States when I was born. When he returned, he did not want to give me his last name because he had another family and abandoned ours. Currently, he does not help us economically nor does he communicate with us. For that reason, I only live with my mother who struggles to support us. She is a housewife and raises chickens for selling. Thank God, my siblings and I are heathy.

However, I would like to ask for your prayers for my mother because she is suffering from gastritis and her nerves. She has not visited the doctor due to our low resources, but she is taking natural medicine that has helped her to feel much better. We do not own a house. For that reason, we live with my maternal grandparents. My grandmother is the owner. It has three rooms and a kitchen. We use just one room. It is made of brick, cemented roof and floor. We have a well where we get our water. There is electricity that we must pay for. Our domestic animals are chickens. As a family, we need corn and food. Well, it is time to say goodbye. I send my best wishes to you.

Many blessings,

Yoselin Elena Ixporcuac

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua