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! My name is Vanesa Alejandra. I was born on May 18, 2018 in Zacualpa, Quiche. I am a 5-year-old healthy girl. I am not enrolled at school yet because I am too young. For that reason, I stay at home and enjoy playing with my dolls. My favorite animal is the chicken, and I like the color red. I love eating chicken soup. I have one brother and two sisters. My two sisters are registered in the feeding program. We usually go together to the program and walk for fifteen minutes to be there.

My father´s name is Ramiro Rodriguez Morente. He left our family two years ago. He works as bus helper but does not help us economically nor keeps in touch with us. My mother´s name is Guadalupe Coj de la Cruz. She does not live with us because she works in a tortilla shop in Guatemala City. She comes every 6 months to visit us. My mom left us under the care of my grandmother Magdalena. She is a housemaker, but she also raises domestic animals. Sometimes she goes to work away from home. Meanwhile, my aunt who is our neighbor takes care of us.

We live in my uncle´s house and thankfully, we do not pay any rent. I live with my grandmother and sisters and no more relatives live with us. The house has two rooms and a separate kitchen made of adobe, tile roof and cemented floor. My grandmother pays the water annually and the electricity monthly. We have chickens as domestic animals. As a family, we are in need of clothes and food. I thank you so much for your attention to read about my life. My grandmother shared this information to the LW teacher for you. May God bless you abundantly! I send greetings and hugs from the distance. Take care!

Best regards from now on,

Vanesa Alejandra Rodriguez Coj

Translated by: Mireya de Sadoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua