enero 2021 – Hábitat para la Humanidad Guatemala

esfuerzo y dedicación para construir mi vivienda

29 enero, 2021/en Familias /por lgalvez

Dalia tiene 44 años, es madre soltera, tiene 3 hijas, y durante más de 25 años alquiló para tener un techo sobre su cabeza y tener a sus hijas protegidas, tiene presente que pasó por más de 10 casas y esto la motivó a esforzarse para construir su vivienda.

Trabaja de en el área de conserjería en una empresa, y cuando le salen trabajos en casa ella los realiza, para poder brindarle a sus hijas lo mejor, hoy en día con ella viven solamente 2 de sus hijas, Dalia nos relata que sufrió mucho, y que no fue fácil llegar a cumplir su sueño, pero con esfuerzo y la ayuda de su papá su sueño se hizo realidad.

Durante la construcción recibió un grupo de voluntarios que estuvieron varios días, apoyando, armando las estructuras de acero de la vivienda que después sirvieron para las columnas. “Me sentí feliz de recibir a los voluntarios, ellos agarraban la piocha y la pala y trabajaban juntos”

“Me siento orgullosa de haber construido mi vivienda, y feliz de recibir elogios cuando tengo visitas, me siento agradecida con Dios que permitió que construyera mi casita”

La vivienda mejora la vida.

29 enero, 2021/en Familias /por lgalvez

Don Mariano y su esposa, Martina, son los nuevos orgullosos dueños de una Casa Hábitat Viven con dos de sus hijos, Odilia y Roberto, su esposa Julia y su bebé Josselyn. Mariano trabaja en agricultura. Roberto trabaja en un departamento diferente, Petén, mientras que las ellas se quedan en casa.

Antes de asociarse con Hábitat para la Humanidad Guatemala para construir su casa, la familia solía vivir en frente, que ahora funciona como cocina. Fue construido con bloques de adobe y piso de tierra. “Antes éramos siete personas durmiendo en una sola habitación, vivimos así durante casi 23 años”, dice Martina.

Ella formó parte del Programa de Estufas Mejoradas, y uno de los promotores locales le habló sobre la posibilidad de construir una casa más segura. Estaban muy interesados, pero en ese momento no era posible económicamente. Tres años después, decidieron que era hora de construir una casa para ellos. Decidieron visitar la oficina en Panajachel, y comenzaron con el proceso.

Cuando les preguntamos cómo se sienten en su nuevo hogar, Martina sonríe y responde: “¡Estamos encantados, felices y agradecidos con nuestra casa! Al principio tenía miedo, porque no sé escribir ni leer, y mi español no es muy bueno, pero Hábitat Guatemala nos proporcionó toda la información y nos acompañó durante todo el proceso”.

“Es completamente diferente a tener nuestra casa con piso de cemento y lindas paredes, es una gran mejora para nosotros como familia. Amamos toda la casa, amamos el diseño, nuestras habitaciones, ¡todo!»

Martina nos cuenta “esta pandemia nos ha golpeado fuerte en lo económico, nuestro hijo Roberto está trabajando en Petén y hace cinco meses que no ha podido venir a visitarnos, y ver crecer a su hija, porque es difícil pagar el transporte «. En cuanto a los estudios, Odilia ha estado estudiando desde casa, pero a Martina le ha costado mucho, por su escasa educación. Es posible que Odilia necesite repetir su año escolar, porque puede ser una mejor manera de aprender mejor. Pero tener la casa les ha beneficiado ya que no se han enfermado, y cuentan con espacio cómodo para quedarse y pasar tiempo juntos.

“Los voluntarios eran gente maravillosa, disfrutamos mucho pasar tiempo con ellos y construir nuestra casa juntos, los extrañamos mucho cuando se fueron. Ahora son parte de nuestra familia. Estamos agradecidos y conmovidos de conocer a personas del exterior que vinieron a ayudarnos aún más que las personas de nuestro propio país, saber que dejaron a su familia y amigos para construir con nosotros y trabajar tan duro, ¡es realmente admirable! les deseamos que todos estén bien.

¡Que Dios los bendiga! Maltiox «.

Healthy Home Kit – Gregoria Saquic – Polly Knudsen

22 enero, 2021/en Meet our families, News /por profiles

Gregoria (60) lives with her 4 children, Brigida (36), Antonieta (21), José (18) and Elisa (17), in the community of Santa Lucía Utatlán, near Lake Atitlán, in the departament of Sololá. Brigida works as a vendor, Antonieta at a bakery. José and Elisa are going to school while Gregoria stays home and takes care of the chores.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s Healthy Home Kit, families receive a smokeless stove, a sanitary latrine and a water filter. Thishelps them improve their health by giving them adequate access to proper sanitation, potable water and a smoke free environment. When the family found out about this project, they knew it was a great opportunity to improve their family’s quality of life.

“We used to cook on an older stove for more than 30 years, it was in poor condition. It consumed much more wood, which cost more money too. The new one is different, it only uses half the amount of wood as the old one. We are able to cook all our meals at the same time. We feel content with it!” says Brigida.

Before receiving their new latrine, the family explains that the old one was also in poor condition. “Now that we have a new latrine, we feel happy and safe, especially all our nephews who also use it” says Brigida. Things are going great with their water filter too. Now, they can drink potable water and not get sick.

Gregoria and Brigida refer to their time with the volunteers by explaining, “We had a great day! The volunteers worked really hard as a team. It was all quite an experience to build the adobe blocks and share with them,” she continues; “Receive our greetings and may God bless you! Thank you all for your support. These products have served us greatly.”

Healthy Home Kit – Isabel Yac – Polly Knudsen

22 enero, 2021/en Meet our families, News /por profiles

Doña Isabel lives with two of her daugthers and a grandchild, in the community of Santa Lucía Utatlán, in the department of Sololá.

Before partnering up with Habitat Guatemala to receive a Smokeless Stove, Isabel and Jessica, used to cook over an open flame on the floor called a “poyo.” “I cooked over a poyo for 63 years! It was very hard to cook in it, the smoke made us feel sick and gave us red eyes,” says Isabel.

They are really happy with their new stove; “It feels much better to cook with the new one now! We use less wood to cook. Now we do not have to go get wood so often,” says Isabel.

Before receiving their new latrine, Jessica explains that the old one was old and in poor condition. “The new one feels more private and comfortable, it is easy to clean. It is much easier for my mom that recently had a surgery, to use ” says Jessica. The family has also felt a difference with their water filter. Before they drank water directly from the sink, causing them intestinal distress. Now, it is easier and safer to drink potable water from the filter,” Jessica mentions.

About the day of construction, they recall; “We had a good time with all the volunteers. It was a fun day.” They finish by sharing a message to the volunteers: “We thank all of you for supporting us with this kit. We hope God blesses you and keeps you safe in your daily activities. Thanks for your efforts in providing us with these items.” – Isabel and Jessica.

Martina Sicajau Tiu – Open Team – Polly Knudsen

22 enero, 2021/en Meet our families /por profiles

Don Mariano (55) and his wife, Martina (47), are the new proud owners of a Habitat Home! They live with two of their children, Odilia (11), and Roberto (23), his wife, Julia (23), and baby Josselyn. Mariano works in agriculture. Roberto works in a different department, Petén, while the ladies stay at home.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to build their home, the family used to live in the house in front of the new one, which now works as the kitchen. It was built out of adobe blocks and dirt floor. «Before, we were seven people sleeping in just one room, we lived like this for almost 23 years,» says Martina. She was a part of Habitat Guatemala Smokeless Stove Program, and one of the local affiliate promoters told them about the possibility of building a safer house. They were very interested, but at that time, they did not have enough money. Three years later, they decided it was time to build a new home for their own! They decided to visit the office in Panajachel, and even though they did not know much about the city, they found it, and started with the process.

When we asked how they feel in their new home, Martina smiles and responds, “We are thrilled and grateful with our new home! From the beginning, the Habitat staff provided us with all the information and accompanied us during the entire process. Now, it is completely different to have our home built with cement floor and nice walls, it is a big improvement for us as a family.” What the family enjoy the most about being at home is, “…We love all the house, we love the design, our rooms, everything!”

Regarding to COVID-19 pandemic, Martina mentions, “This pandemic has hit us hard in the economic way, our son, Roberto is working at Petén. It has been five months that he has not had been able to come visit us, and see her daughter grow up, because it is hard to pay for the transportation.» Regarding to studies, Odilia has been studying from home, but it has been hard for Martina, because of her limited education. Odilia might need to repeat her school year, because it can be a better way of her to learn better. But having the house, has prevent them from getting sick, and they also have a comfortable space to stay and spend time together.

About the time shared with the volunteers Martina recalls, “They were wonderful people, we really enjoyed spending time with them and build our house together! We missed them so much when they left. They are now part of our family.”

She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers, “We are grateful and moved to get to know people from abroad that came to help us even more that people from our own country! To know that you left your family and friends to build with us and to work that hard, it is really admirable! We miss you all so much, and we wish that all of you are doing fine. We keep all the photos you left us as a great memory. May God bless you! Maltiox.”

Santa Cecilia Paniagua – HFH Asheville – Joel Johnson

14 enero, 2021/en Meet our families, News /por profiles

Santa Cecilia (30), lives with her husband, Edgar (31), and their 6 children, Ana Cecilia (12), Edgar (10), Santa Teresa (8), Reina (6), Andrea (4), and Rosa Adriana (2) in a small community in Chimaltenango. While Edgar works in the fields, Santa Cecilia takes care of the children and the household chores.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s smokeless stove program, families receive a stove that helps them improve their health and living conditions. Families are also required to get involved in the construction process and the collection of some local materials.

Santa Cecilia explains; “I used to cook over an open flame, on a small stove that I built myself. I cooked on it for over ten years, and all the smoke stayed inside our kitchen, causing me and the children many respiratory diseases, and red eyes.” She learned about the program through a local committee member, and did not hesitate to sign up!

«We were very exited and happy to be a part of this project, because we could not afford a stove like this. My husband built the adobe blocks and we also helped him,» says Santa Cecilia.

She feels satisfied with her new stove; “I feel very happy, my girls enjoy to prepare tortillas with me! we have fun cooking together,» she continues,»We now use much less wood. With three pieces of wood, I can prepare our tortillas, atol and beans at the same time. Even our «nixtamal» takes less wood to get prepared.”

Santa Cecilia refers to their time with the volunteers; “It was a very special day for us, we enjoyed having them here. We still have the picture we took together,” she continues, “Thanks to all of you! Our family is very grateful for you and your support.”

María Jacobo – HFH Asheville – Joel Johnson

14 enero, 2021/en Meet our families, News /por profiles

Doña María lives with her husband, and some of their children, in a small community in the department of Chimaltenango. Maria takes care of the home, and many of their children while her husband works in the field.

Before partnering up with Habitat Guatemala to receive a Smokeless Stove, María used to cook over an open flame on the floor called “poyo.» “I was very hard to cook with the old stove. There was always a lot of smoke inside our kitchen, and it made our eyes and throat uncomfortable. I cooked on a pollo for over 33 years,” says María.

She feels really happy with her new stove; “I feel happy with the new stove! I am grateful to Habitat and God for giving me this stove.» She continues, «we built our adobe blocks and prepared everything to have it ready. Now it is a benefit for all our family, specially for me, because I do not burn myself anymore, and the smoke stays outside my kitchen.» María shares that they also save a lot of wood, and they do not have to buy it very often.

About the day of construction, María recalls; “We had a good time with all of them.” She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers: “We thank all of the donors and volunteers for supporting us. Even though we can not see you, we hope God bless you and keep you safe in your daily activities. Thanks for your efforts in providing us with this new stove.” – María.

Cristina Cuc – HFH Asheville – Joel Johnson

14 enero, 2021/en Meet our families /por profiles

Cristina (28), lives with her husband, Pedro (33), and their 3 children, Sandra (8), Carlos (4), and Liliana (1), in a small community in Chimaltenango. While Pedro works in the fields, Cristina takes care of the children and the household chores.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s smokeless stove program, families receive a stove, to help them improve their health by giving them a smoke free environment.

Cristina explains; “I used to cook over an open flame, a «poyo», for over 7 years, causing me red eyes and several burns in my hands.” When she found out about the project through a local committee member, she did not think it twice, and signed up to the program!

She feels satisfied with her new stove; “I feel very happy with my stove, I enjoy to prepare my tortillas and beans on it. We also save a lot of wood.”

Cristina refers to her time with the volunteers; “It was a fun day, they worked really hard and carried all the materials to build it.» She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers: “Thank you for all your support! We feel grateful for our stove.”