My Story

Tunaja is a small area of the state of Quiché, Guatemala. The inhabitants are Quiché Mayans who trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. The prevalent language is the Mayan dialect - Quiché. 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 difficult.

Hello, I am Zuly Marleny and I feel happy that my mother gave this information to the LW teacher to share you. I am 11 years old. I was born on March 9^th, 2012, in Zacualpa, Quiche. Thank God, my health is good. I attend the 5^th grade at school this year and I am not repeating. My favorite color is pink. I like cats and enjoy spending my free time riding a bicycle. The most delicious meal for me is fried chicken. My family and I attend the Church in Tunaja. I only have two brothers. One of them and I are recently registered in the feeding program. We usually take a bus to the program and it drives us for 10 minutes.

I am glad to tell you that both of my parents live with me. Joel Cux Cux is my father and he works hard as a farmer or day laborer. Angelica Cux Mucia is my mother and besides the hard work that she does at home, she washes clothes for our nearby neighbors to help with extra money. My paternal grandmother Teresa Cux shares her house with us because my parents do not own one. My grandparents and uncles also live there. My parents do not pay anything to live there.

It is a humble three-room house with a separate kitchen. The walls are adobe with cement, tile roof and cemented floor. There is running water and electricity services that my grandmother pays. We also have some chickens at home. Our greatest necessities are groceries, but most of all corn. I feel so blessed to have a delicious lunch at the program, and I thank you for your support through Living Water. I thank you for reading this update of my life. Sending you lots of hugs and blessings!

Best regards from now on,

Zuly Marleny Berly Cux Cux

Translated by: Mireya de Sadoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua