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 Mayani 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 Elmer Alexandro. I was born in Malacatan, San Marcos Guatemala in 2015. I will turn 8 years old in December 28. I am in 1^st grade this year and I am not repeating. My health is good and I enjoy playing football. My favorite color is blue and I like cats and dogs. I love to eat typical sauces with chicken. I have two brothers and one sister.

My parents live with me in Tunaja, Quiche. My father´s name is Mario Gonzalez Morente and my mother´s is Catarina Nas Lastor. My father drives a moto taxi, but he also works sometimes as a farmer and a day laborer. My mother is a homemaker but also helps with the income by raising domestic animals. We are members of the Catholic Church. As a family, we have many needs but the main one is food.

We live in a small house that belongs to my parents. It has two rooms plus a kitchen. We have running water and electricity, and my father is in charge of paying for the services properly. The house is made of adobe, tin sheet roof and cemented floor. We have chickens and a pig as domestic animals. I usually attend the feeding program with my cousins. We walk for 30 minutes to be there. Thank you so much for giving me time to share a little of my life. My father was in charge of providing all this information for you. Take care! I send you many hugs from Guatemala.

Best regards from now on,

Elmer Alexandro Gonzalez Nas

Translated by: Mireya de Sadoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua