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 so happy that you are interested in hearing from my family and me. My name is Luis Alexander Eduardo Ruiz Morente. I am a healthy boy. I was born on June 17, 2022, in Zacualpa Quiche. I am 4 years old, and I am not at school yet. I love eating noodles. My favorite color is green, and my favorite animal is the cat. I enjoy playing with toy cars. I do not have any brothers or sisters.

My mother´s name is Pabla Ruiz Morente. She earns a living by washing clothes for others and making tortillas. I am not legally recognized by my biological father because he abandoned my mother when she was pregnant. Thank God, my parents help my mother economically. My grandfather, Isaias Ruiz, is a day laborer and my grandmother, Antonia Morente, washes clothes for others.

We do not own a house, so we live with our maternal grandparents and two uncles. The house belongs to my grandparents. It has one room and one kitchen made of adobe, tin sheet roof and concrete floor. There is running water that they must pay annually, and they pay the electricity monthly. We attend the Prince of Peace church. One of our greatest needs is food.

I like to attend the feeding program because it is a blessing. My grandmother usually takes me, and we walk for 30 minutes to get there. Alright, this is all I can share for now. I bless you in the name of Jesus and look forward to writing you again.

With lots of love,

Luis Alexander Eduardo Ruiz Morente

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua