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 happy to greet you. I hope you are doing well alongside your family and friends. My name is Teres Valentina de la Cruz Ajqui, and I feel excited to tell you about my life and family. My parents´ names are Carlos de la Cruz Riz and Hilda Ajqui Garcia. My father traveled to The United States 3 years ago. He is currently working in a restaurant as a dish washer. He communicates with us daily and sends money for our support. On the other side, my mother is a housewife and raises chickens, turkeys and ducks for selling. Thank God, their health is good. We attend the Catholic Church.

I was born on June 23, 2020, in Zacualpa Quiche. I am 6 years old. This year, I am in pre-kinder at school. I am healthy. My favorite color is pink. I love eating eggs with tomato sauce. I like cats. In my free time, I like playing with dolls and toy dishes. I have three brothers and no sisters. I am happy to be part of the feeding program. I attend there sometimes with my mother and sometimes with some relatives. I live 10 minutes away from the program.

Fortunately, my mother owns the house where we live. We shared it with my maternal grandmother and one uncle. It has four rooms with a separate kitchen. It is made of adobe, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We have running water and electricity. My mother pays the electricity bills every month and the water annually.  Our domestic animals are chickens, turkeys and ducks. Some of our necessities currently are food and clothes. Thank you so much for taking time to read this. Before I say goodbye to you, I want to send many blessings and strong hugs.

Lots of love,

Teresa Ventina de la Cruz Ajqui

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua