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, it is a nice pleasure to greet you from Guatemala. I hope you are doing fine. My name is Helen Valery Yomari Riz de la Cruz. I am 5 years old. I was born on June 5, 2020. I am in pre-kinder at school. in my free time, I like playing tag and with my dolls. Blue is my favorite color. I love eating egg-wrapped broccoli. I like rabbits. Thank God, my health is good. I only have one brother. I go to the feeding program along with some neighbors on a motorcycle. It takes me 30 minutes to get there. We live in my paternal grandparents´ house along with some uncles and cousins too. There are four rooms and a kitchen made of adobe, tile roof and cemented floor. We use three rooms. We share the electricity service as well as the payment. Each family has their own running water service, so we pay separately. Our greatest needs are shoes, clothes and food. We do not have any domestic animals at home.

I live happily with my parents. Their names are Alex Elias Riz Garcia and Claudia Alessandra de la Cruz Cux. My father is a blacksmith. He makes metal doors and windows and metal structures for the roof. My mother takes care of us and the house. She helps my paternal grandparents with a small store that they have, but she does not receive any payment for that. For that reason, she travels every day. Thank God, my parents enjoy good health. Currently, we attend church. Well, I appreciate that you are interested in knowing me better. I send many greetings and hugs to you, looking forward to writing to you again.

Many blessings,

Helen Valery Yomari Riz de la Cruz

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua