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 Andy Eduarod Quino Coj. I am glad to greet you for the first time. I would like to share something about me with you. Well, I will start by telling you that I was born on November 22, 2015, in Zacualpa Quiche. I am 10 years old, and I am a fourth-grade student. My hobbies are playing soccer and with toy cars. I like dogs. I love eating chicken soup. My favorite color is red.  Fortunately, my health is good. I have two brothers and one sister. It is a blessing for us to attend the feeding program. I usually walk along with my little brother for one hour to get the program.

My parents are Rigoberto Quino Cux and Elvia Coj Hernandez. My father works by making wells, and he has been doing that for about 4 years. My mother takes care of us and the house but also improves the income by washing clothes for others. That has been her job for 5 years. Thank God, their health is good too. As a family, we do not attend any church yet, but I hope my parents take the decision soon.

We live in a three-room house made of adobe, tin sheet roof and cemented floor. It has a separate kitchen. There is running water that we get from a well that my father built. We do not have electricity, so we use candles. Our domestic animals are chickens. Our greatest needs are groceries, corn and electricity. I would like to ask for your prayers for my family because my mother is worried about the house where we live because it is borrowed. It belongs to my grandfather, but he passed away. Alright, I thank you so much for your attention. I look forward to writing to you again. I send my love to you.

Best regards,

Andy Eduardo Quino Coj

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua