Mariela lives in Chimaltenango with her husband, José Sergio, and their daughter, Alisson (1). Thanks to the support of Thrivent Builds, her family received a Habitat smokeless stove so that she can cook in a healthier environment.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive her smokeless stove, Mariela used to cook over and open fire on the floor. Causing them respiratory diseases and burns, because they sleep in the same room, where they cook.

When asked how she feels with her new smokeless stove, María responds, “I feel very happy with my new stove! It is working great,” she continues, “We can save wood and the best part is that the smoke no longer stays inside. The family supports their livelihood by working in the fields. Mariela weaves traditional clothes for an additional income.

Regarding their time spent with the volunteers, Mariela shares, “We enjoyed our day together, they worked hard and were funny.”  She finishes by sending a message to the volunteers: “Thank you all for your support in building our stove, we are looking forward to seeing you again.”

Mirna, her husband, Benedicto, and her three children, Olga (29) Mirna (27), and Omar “Chino” (24), are now living in their new Habitat home in Sacatepéquez. Both Benedicto and María work as guardians in different places. Olga is studying to be a psychologist in the university and works as a teacher. Mirna is currently working in a Coffee shop and she is planning to open her own in the future.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the family used to live in a house that is located in the school where Mirna has been working for over 17 years. “The old house only had two rooms, we used one for kitchen and the other one for our bedroom. All of us were sleeping in the same room, sharing beds, with not enough space for everybody,” she continues, “We found out about Habitat through a friend, and after doing some research, we applied and the next week, they called to say we were approved,” she says.

When asked how they feel with their new home, Mirna answers, “I feel happy, happy to have a space to call our own now. It is not the same to be in your own home, to do what you want, when you want to do so. ”Mirna says that what they enjoy the most in their new home is “silence”, they love to listen to the birds together, “the weather and tranquility, that is the better part of living here,” says Mirna, while Chino is dancing in the other room.

When asked about the time shared with the volunteers Mirna recalls, “All of the volunteers were really kind, it was a great week. They worked hard!”

“May each and one of you receive our greetings! Feel welcome to come to our home anytime you want,” she continues,” Thank you all for your support.”

María lives with her husband, Cerafino, and four children, Sara (7), María (6), Evelyn (1) and baby Jonathan (6 months), in a small community called el Rajón, Sumpango, Chimaltenango. María takes care of the home, while Ramiro works in the fields.

Before partnering up with Habitat Guatemala to receive a Smokeless Stove, María used to cook on an open flame stove on the floor. “Before, the smoke made my eyes cry, and it was very uncomfortable,” says María. She feels really happy with her new stove; “I feel happy with my new stove! It lights up quickly and I can cook all my meals at once. It saves wood too,” she continues, ” my favorite dish to cook here is beans and occasionally chicken.”

About the day of construction, María recalls; “We all had a good time while working together.”  – She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers: “Thank you all for coming to my home and building our stove. I feel very happy to cook on a better space now.”

Karina, her husband, Onasduan, and their two children, Brandon (4), and Dylan (2), are now living in their new Habitat home in Chimaltenango. Onasduan works as an attourney, while María takes care of the house chores and owns an Ice cream shop.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, Karina mentions that they used to live in an house that belong her mother-in-law, “that house was really small, my boys got desperate, because there was not enough space for them to play,” she continues, “that is why we started looking for land to build a bigger house for them to grow up.” Karina explains that they learned about Habitat Guatemala’s programs through a friend. After doing some research, they decided it was time to invest in a space of their own.

When asked how they feel with their new home, Karina smiles and answers, “We feel happy, happy to have more space, now they boys can play and do what they want,” she continues, “In the future we would like to fence around, also finish furnishing.”

Karina says that what they enjoy the most of the house as a family is, “our children love to run, in here they have enough space to do so! When my husband comes back from work, we all start playing and running around,” she continues, “it has made a big difference now that we are living here, it is safer too.”

When asked about the time shared with the volunteers Karina recalls, “At the beginning we were very surprised to see how hard they worked. They helped us made a big progress!,” she continues, “Thank you all for your support! Thank you for your good will of coming to help us. May God bless you, we will always remember you.”