junio 2021 – Página 2 – Hábitat para la Humanidad Guatemala

Marlon Arévalo family – Joanne Morra – HFH Canada

2 junio, 2021/en Meet our families, News /por profiles

Ingrid (23), her husband, Marlon (25), and baby Abby (2), are living in their new Habitat home in Rabinal, Baja Verapaz. Marlon works in an advertising agency, while Ingrid stays home and takes care of Abby and the house chores.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the small family used to live at Marlon’s parents house, sharing it with 12 more relatives, «When Marlon’s parents gave him a piece of land, the first thing that Marlon wanted to do, was to build our own house! We needed space for us and and for Abby too,» mentions Ingrid. They learned about Habitat Guatemala through a friend, and after making some research, they decided to start the process.»

When asked how she feels with her new home, Ingrid smiles and responds, ”We feel very happy! We are grateful to God and Habitat for giving us the opportunity to build our house and make this dream a reality! It is a big blessing for us to have it, we are paying it little by little but we already have it, and we are happy for it!» She continues, «in the future we are planing to add a second storey, and add a porch too.»

What Ingrid enjoys the most about being at her home is to cook, she enjoys cooking and trying new recipes at her kitchen. «Abby enjoys to play in the garden, we live next to our in-laws so she plays with her cousins too.»

About their time spent with the volunteers, Evelyn recalls, «It was a wonderful experience to share with all of the volunteers. They were of great help for us! they worked hard next to the masons, and we still remember them, the piñata was fun too!»

She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers, “Thank you for coming to share with us, and helping us building our home! May God bless you all. Receive our greetings from my husband, Abby and I. Thank you!”

The Iboy Cahuec Family – Joanne Morra – HFH Canada

2 junio, 2021/en Meet our families, News /por profiles

Olmar (27), is living with her wife, Melissa (21) and their daughter, Kiara (4), in their new Habitat home in Rabinal, Petén. Both of them work as merchants in Rabinal and other towns of Baja Verapaz.

Olmars’ mother, Catarina, welcomed us into their home because they both were at work and could not be present during our visit.

She shares that the family has known about Habitat Guatemala for many years. «This was the opportunity for them to achieve independence and have their own space,» mentions Catarina.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, they used to live at Catarina’s house and the rest of the family. When asked how Olmar feels with his new home, her mother shares, “He is very happy! Now, they have their own space, and are more independent. There is enough space for Kiara to play too.” In the future, the family plans to paint the house and eventually add an extra room.

About the time the family spent with the volunteers, they recall, “It was a fun week, all the volunteers were hard workers, and despite the heat, they worked hard! With the great help they gave us, we progressed a lot faster with the construction, specially the trenches becase the dirt was hard, and now, here we have the house completed.”

She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers; “Thank you all for your big support, you were part of the foundations of this house. All our family is grateful to each one of you.”

Migdalia Catalán family – Open Build – Mike Parker

2 junio, 2021/en Meet our families, News /por profiles

Migdalia (36), is living with her three children, Oscar (18), Karla (16), and Génesis (7), in their new Habitat home in Cubulco, Baja Verapaz. Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the family lived in a different department.

A few years ago, the family suffered a big car accident, and because of their injures they had to moved to Cubulco with Migdalia’s parents and they had to share a single room among the four. «After the accident we moved in with my mom and lived with her for a year. I did not have a house here, and remembered that my mom, aunts and other relatives built their house with Habitat. That is why I decided to partner with Habitat and build our own house,» says Migdalia. Their prime motivation to build a new home was for the family to start a new life after their accident, in a space of their own.

When asked how they feel about their new home, Migdalia smiles, and responds, ”I feel truly blessed. We now have a roof over our heads to live, we are still paying for it, but it is ours already! It is different to have our own space, everyone has their own space to do what they want. What Migdalia enjoys the most of being at their home is being able to rest and spend time in their front yard enjoying nature, and taking care of their plants and flowers.

Regarding the week of construction spent with the volunteers, she answers, “It was a fun week! We enjoyed our time together. Actually, my parents cried when they had to leave. They worked really hard the entire day digging trenches.»

The family finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers: “Thank you all for your support in building our home, receive our warmest greetings! We still remember about you all, and we always will.»

Marlon Arévalo family – Joanne Morra – HFH Canada

The Iboy Cahuec Family – Joanne Morra – HFH Canada

Migdalia Catalán family – Open Build – Mike Parker

Oficina Nacional Quetzaltenango

Oficina Nacional Ciudad Capital