TU2881

Tunajá is an 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.

My name is Armando Gonzalez Simaj.  I was born on September 9, 2015. I am a healthy child and I walk about 15 minutes to get to the feeding program.  I have four brothers and seven sisters.  Some of them also attend the program.  My father’s name is Sebastian and he works as a day laborer.  My mother’s name is Josefina and she is a housewife.  She also weaves typical items.  We own the house in which we live.  It is adobe with a tile roof and a dirt floor.  It has two rooms including the kitchen.  We have water and electricity.  My family does not travel to the coast to work in the coffee harvest as some families do.  We have some cows, pigs, sheep and chickens.  We grow corn for our own consumption.  I am not in school yet, so I spend my time playing with my toy cars, playing soccer or watching television.  My favorite color is red and my favorite animals are pigs and sheep.  The foods that I like best are bananas and fried chicken.  My family attends a Catholic church.

With much love and many blessings,

Armando Gonzalez Simaj

Translated by: Edwina Lyons/AAC Missionary