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! This is Natalia Elizabeth Lux Gonzalez, and I am excited to share my story with you. First, I want you to know that my mother and a staff member of LW helped me write this letter. I was born on February 25, 2020. I am a healthy 5-year-old girl. I still do not attend school, so I stay home and play with my youngest sister. I have no more siblings. My favorite color is pink. I love eating fried chicken. My favorite animals are rabbits. I am a lucky girl because I have a lovely and healthy family. My father’s name is Mauricio Cux Pablo. He makes a living by making artisanal wells. My mother’s name is Maria Yojana Lux Gonzalez. She is a housewife. She occasionally washes clothes for other people to contribute to the expenses.

I only have my mother’s last name because, when I was born, my father was underage and could not recognize me legally. However, he will do it soon. We are Christians and attend the Full Gospel Church. The house where we live belongs to a relative of my father. He does not charge us rent. My father only has to cover the electricity bill. The house is made of adobe with a tin sheet roof and a dirt floor. It has only one room, so my father made an improvised kitchen outside. Fortunately, there is a well where we can get water. We have a few chickens at home for our consumption. Some of our priorities are food, clothes, and shoes. We live near the feeding program. We usually walk for 20 minutes to get there. To end this letter, I send you many kisses and hugs. See you later!

From the bottom of my heart,

Natalia Elizabeth Lux Gonzalez

Translated by: Hillary Popol, AAC Secretary / Antigua Guatemala