My Story

Tunajá is a very primitive area of the state of Quiché, Guatemala.  The inhabitants are Quiché Indians who trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  The prevalent language is the Indian 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 Tunajá is extremely difficult.

Hello, I am Arelia Marcini Ruiz Morente. I would like to share something about me, so you can know me better. As I am still young, my oldest sister gave the whole information to the LW team for you. I am a healthy 8-year-old girl. I was born on July 19, 2016. I attend 1^st grade at school this year. My favorite color is pink, and my favorite animal is the cat. I love eating fried chicken. My hobby is playing with dolls. I live with my parents. I have 7 sisters. Two of them are enrolled in the feeding program. We normally walk for 30 minutes to be there.

My father´s name is Manuel Ruiz Luis and my mother´s is Silvia Vidalia Morente Garcia. My father earns a living as a farmer while my mother is a weaver. She also takes care of us and the house. Moreover, she raises chickens and turkeys, some for selling and some for our consumption. They are both healthy. We live in our own house. My father is the owner. It has two room including the kitchen. It is made of adobe, tile roof and cement floor. We have the main services such as running water and electricity, and my father pays for them. We have dogs as domestic animals. Our greatest necessities as a family are corn and food. We attend Church of God.  I have to say goodbye to you. I wish you the best and I hope to share more with you next time. I send my love to you.

Many blessings,

Arelia Marcini Ruiz Morente

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua