My Story

Tunaja is a small area of the state of Quiché, Guatemala. The inhabitants are Quiché Mayans who trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. The prevalent language is the Mayani 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 Tunaja is difficult.

Hello! My name is Melisa Griselda and I am a 5-year-old girl. I am not at school yet because of my young age. I was born on February 2^nd, 2018, in Zacualpa, Quiche. My favorite color is pink. I like cats. I enjoy playing teddies and helping my mother at home. I am in good health. I like that my mother prepares fried chicken to eat. My mother takes me to the feeding program and we usually walk for 5 minutes to be there.

I live with my parents and one brother. My father is Rolando Benito Chingo and my mother is Catarina Ajca Mejia. My father supports us by working as a mason´s helper or sometimes as a farmer because he does not have a stable job. My mother is a homemaker, but she helps our family economically by raising pigs for selling. Our greatest necessity as a family is food mainly corn. As a family, we attend the Prince of Peace Church.

Our humble house belongs to my father. It is located in Tunaja and we do not share it with any other relatives. It has one room and a kitchen. The house is made of block, cemented roof with a ceramic and dirt floor. We do not have running water nor electricity. My grandmother shares water and electricity, so my parents and grandmother take turns paying. However, due to the hard economic situation, we do not have those services because my parents are not able to pay. We do not have more domestic animals except the pigs. Well, I have to say goodbye for now but just before that, let me tell you that my mother provided all the information to the LW teacher. I am happy that it will be shared with you. I send you many greetings from Guatemala!

Best regards from now on,

Melisa Griselda Benito Ajca

Translated by: Mireya de Sadoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua