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.

This is Yesica Gricelda Quino Chic. I am a 5-year-old girl. I am in pre-kindergarten at school and I like to play hide and seek. I love purple color and hens. My favorite meal is fried chicken. I have suffered from some problems with my vision since I was three years old, but I have not visited the ophthalmologist due to a lack of money. I would like to ask for your prayers. Currently, I only live under my mother`s care because my father abandoned the family 6 months ago. We do not know anything about him because we do not have communication with him. His name is Manuel Quino Quino and my mother`s name is Yesica Gricelda Quino Chic. Thankfully, my mother and whole family are in good health. She earns a living by working in the tortillas business in Zacualpa town three times per week in order to sustain the family financially because she is the only one that struggles for our well-being. The money it is not enough to cover our financial needs. We are a humble family and our priority needs are groceries and corn. I have two sisters and they also are part of this project. My maternal grandmother takes care of us while my mother works, and she accompanies us to the Feeding Center. We walk a half hour to arrive there and I am so happy attending. We believe in God and we belong to Church of Christ. 

We live in a rented house and my mother pays monthly Q 300.00 (US $40). We have two rooms and one separated kitchen. The walls are made of adobe, tile and tin sheet roof with dirt floors. We have electricity and my mother pays monthly for the service while we get water from an artisanal well. We have hens at home and we would like to have some chicks because we have space in the house for them. I hope you like to read my news and I would like to hear your news soon. May God bless you!

 Lots of love,

 Yesica Gricelda Quino Chic

 Translated by: Gladys Chavez, AAC Secretary-Antigua