My Story

Tunaja is a very primitive area of the state of Quiche, Guatemala. The inhabitants are Quiche Mayans who trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. The prevalent language is the Mayan dialect - Quiche. The people are either farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors. 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 Tunaja is extremely difficult.

Hello! My full name is Angel Eliseo Riz Chic, and it is a pleasure to share a little about my life and my family with you. I was born on June 7, 2020. I am a healthy 5-year-old boy. My favorite pastime is riding my bike and playing with marbles. I still do not attend school. My favorite color is blue. I like cats, and my favorite food is chicken with rice. I have three siblings. They are two brothers and one sister. We attend a nearby Christian Church with our mother. Her name is Maria Chic Cux. She is a single parent and works hard by selling vegetables at the market. About my biological father, let me tell you that he abandoned us some years ago. He traveled to the United States about four years ago. He used to phone and send us money, but one day, he stopped doing it. His name is Fernando Carlos Riz De La Cruz.

My family and I live with my grandmother at her house. Some of my cousins live with us, too. The house is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a concrete floor. It has one room, but no separate kitchen. So, we set up an improvised kitchen outside. Fortunately, there is electricity and running water. My mother pays for those services. We raise some chickens at home for our consumption. My house is near the feeding program because I only walk for 20 minutes to get there. To end this letter, I kindly ask you to pray for my family and our needs. The thing we need the most is food, especially corn. Have a blessed day!

Sincerely yours,

Angel Eliseo Riz Chic

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala