Blog – Página 134 – Hábitat para la Humanidad Guatemala

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The Ixcol Can Family

22 junio, 2017/en Meet our families, News /por admin

Avila Martina Ixcol Can (29) remembers November 6, 2016 with joy. The date commemorates the moment when she and her husband, Juan Carlos (30), moved into their newly constructed Habitat Guatemala home. On a rainy afternoon, she paints the rich and long history of her family’s extensive relationship with Habitat Guatemala. She and her husband are the next generation of Habitat Guatemala homeowners that also happened to grow up in homes constructed by the organization.

“Since we first started dating, we wanted a home,” Avila explains. “We started thinking, ‘how can having my own house make me more independent?’ If we rented, it wouldn’t be ours. We knew that we had this opportunity, and although we would have to save for it, it would be worth it. So in May of that year, we started the paperwork and financing.” She smiles. “My parents offered their advice.”

Avila gestures outside the window. “If you go up this hill a bit, you can see the house where we used to live.” Looking outside, the sloped landscape is dotted with living settlements. Amongst them, the distinctive white walls of another Habitat Guatemala house are visible. “There were sixteen of us there, living in seven rooms.”

She pushes her glasses up her nose. “There were no problems with the old house, it’s just that it was a tight fit. But you wanted to do something for yourself, you couldn’t.”

Since moving in, Avila has realized greater balance between her work life and home. She works as a primary schoolteacher near the town of Argueta while Juan Carlos spends the week as a truck driver, returning on the weekends to sell baked goods from their front door. “Having freedom is easier. Here, we can take our time in doing things. We are only two, soon to be three,” she laughs, rubbing the top of her stomach.

Since moving, Avila is also pleased with how the house has taught her how to effectively plan for major financial decisions with her husband. “We are happy. We split the cost of the house together to make something that we are in agreement with. Here we are; it has been completely worth it.”

When asked about the group of volunteers that came to help build her home, Avila only has kind words. “It was a beautiful experience to work with the group. They visited me at the school and played with the children and my nephews. They were joking around with all of the kids.” Avila would like to thank them for their support. “You have helped us achieve our dream. We will be waiting to receive you once again when you come back. We will always be here for you.”

Her final thoughts: “Habitat Guatemala has always been there for us. May those who work with the organization continue to do what they do.”

The Cumes Family

22 junio, 2017/en Meet our families, News /por admin

For most of his life, Moises Cumes (33) has worked to support others. As a mason, he has a valuable skillset, and he enjoys tackling development challenges in Guatemala. “I worked on government projects with the military after the earthquake struck eight years ago,” he says. “This is work that I am familiar with. And it is excellent work!” he laughs.

Through participating in country-wide improvement projects, Moises came to know hundreds of people. Eventually, he realized that he himself needed support. With his five children quickly growing up, he knew that the lack of space in his home would present a problem. For that reason, he sent in an application to build a housing extension with Habitat Guatemala. His family was quickly accepted.

“About a year ago, construction began. It took about a month to complete,” he reflects. The new extension, which sits adjacent to their house, features two bedrooms, as well as a spacious living room with couches. Here, Moises’s five children, Bryan (12), Jesica (10), Sergio (8), and five-year-old twins Elder and Joselin, have ample room to play games. Extra space has also provided Moises and his wife, Rosalia (33), with some relief.

“My children am happy, and so I am happy,” he says. “Life is easier now. There is more space and comfort, more things to do.” The family will often sit in their living room to watch soccer games on television, or dance to music.

Having worked with Habitat Guatemala for several years, Moises had met dozens of international volunteers working to construct housing solutions before. However, the group that came to build specifically with him and his family will always remain in his heart. “They were excellent to build with,” he remembers. “They were very friendly. May God bless them, wherever they may be and wherever they may be working.”

As for giving back, Moises drives on. He continues to work as a mason with Habitat for Humanity Guatemala in the Sololá area.

The Cuc Tzep Family

22 junio, 2017/en Meet our families, News /por admin

Across Mimia Cuc Tzep’s yard stands a crumbling adobe structure. The foundation is filled with holes and bordered by splintered wooden timbers. There are no window panes, and the roof is in disrepair. “It is an ancient, 20-year-old house. There was no electricity or running water. The roof was bad. There were leaks. When it rained, we suffered. There was so much need for a new house.”

Mimia (42) explains the house’s history in K’iche’, an indigenous language spoken throughout the area. Both she and her brother, Diego, were determined to improve their conditions. Through a local committee, they discovered Habitat for Humanity Guatemala. “They said to him that Habitat Guatemala helps build housing solutions with people like us. If we wanted to build, we could.”

Together, they made sure to gather the materials they needed. “It took two months to arrange all of the paperwork. We worked hard for that paperwork, because we knew the need that we faced.”

Since moving into their new home, both Mimia and Diego’s lives have changed. Mimia is especially content at having a space to call her own. “It’s more calm, because it’s bigger. There are more possibilities here, more time do more things.”A spotted cat without a name winds between ankles, soft mews fluttering with each flick of her tail. Mimia tosses the cat a piece of bread, which is gobbled voraciously. “Even the cat is happy!” she exclaims delightedly.

When asked about the group that came to provide volunteer support, Mimia gushes. “We give them so much thanks, to them and God. I have said that He sent brothers to support my family and me.” Her message to them? “Thank you for your support. We always think of you. You are always welcome, and we are grateful for the support you gave our family.”

Both have thought about future plans for the house. Expansion is in the works, although they want to pay off the loan from the current house. Mimia makes a request for the same group that came to help her build her new house. “If we ever build again, I want you to come build with me!”

The Cortez Ismalej Family

22 junio, 2017/en Meet our families, News /por admin

The first noticeable quality about Ana Marina Cortez Ismalej’s Habitat Guatemala home is the upbeat music. From morning to evening, the house pulses with a collection of pop hits and classics, which pour out of open windows.

“It’s different to live here. We have our own routine, but it’s freeing,” remarks Ana Marina (31). “Together, with my daughters, we listen and dance to music. Or do exercises together.” She laughs. “This is a women’s house.”

In a way, playing music her own home marks a new sign of independence and freedom for Ana Marina. As a single mother raising her two daughters, fifteen-year-old Jaquelyn and ten-year-old Yasimin, she has overcome a series of struggles. “Before, we lived next door to this house with my mother for ten years,” remembers Ana Marina. “There were five people living there, and it was difficult. Because the house was so old, when it rained, water came in through the roof.”

Ana Marina had heard of Habitat Guatemala through her brother, who had built his own home with Habitat Guatemala five years ago. She knew that even working as a primary school teacher that she would be eligible for loans. “I went to the office to ask around. Less than a month later, we were approved to build. It was quick.”

Since moving into their house five months ago, mother and daughters have noticed remarkable changes in their lives. “I feel happy to have this house. What I like most about this house are the rooms. They’re bigger than before,” says Yasmin.

“We moved so that my daughters and I could be more comfortable, so that they could have their own rooms and be calm,” adds Ana Marina. “There is so much more privacy, calmness, and space here.”

Living in a Habitat Guatemala home will allow Ana Marina and her daughters to continue to live a free and tranquil life. As for future plans, they hope to add more flowers to their garden. And of course, continue to play music.

The de Jesus Garcia Family

22 junio, 2017/en Meet our families, News /por admin

“We lived in a house over there.” In the early afternoon sunlight, Leidy (21) balances her nine-month-old son, Denis, on her hip. She points across the plots of land and fields in a house tucked on the far side under a grove of trees. “We were there for four years, living with my in-laws. There were really no problems with the house, but there were three families under the same roof.”

With cramped quarters and little privacy, Leidy dreamed of something of her own. With her two young sons, Denis and Dilan, growing quickly, she and her husband, Federico, made the decision to build a new home. Her husband contacted Habitat for Humanity Guatemala, and not long after, a group of volunteers came to help build her house.

“The group was hardworking and very friendly,” Leidy remembers. “We hope that they are well, and we thank them for helping us with the house.”

Leidy notes several changes to the house and her routine. “It’s more beautiful to live alone. There’s more privacy that way. We feel happy. There’s more space, it’s more calm here, and there are no longer any conflicts. You have your own routine.” While her husband works as a police officer in Sanarate, Leidy takes care of the house and children. However, she has help if she needs it. Her children are within walking distance of their grandparents’ house.

Living in her new space has afforded Leidy independence and flexibility that she never had before. One aspect that she loves about her new home is the freedom to make changes where she wishes. Over the past few months, she has incrementally added finishing touches. A line of potted plants lines the balcony. A multicolored hammock sways gently in the breeze. “I’ve been looking to buy a few more things. The children have more space to play, and they can see their grandparents whenever they would like,” she says.

The new house has also allowed their family to add a new member. Zipping between Leidy’s ankles, a small brown puppy named Cachorrito trips on his own feet while attempting to nibble her shoelaces. Denis claps in delight at the scene. There is no doubt that the family will be able to successfully grow with their home.

The Morente Family

22 junio, 2017/en Meet our families, News /por admin

Strong rains have left the path to Sindy Karina Morente’s Habitat Guatemala home thick with mud. However, Sindy expertly weave her scooter between the holes and puddles, eventually parking in a dry grass patch outside of her home. “We’re thinking to add a driveway here,” she laughs, dismounting from the bike. “Come on in!”

Despite the rain, Sindy and her mother, Ubalda (53) are ecstatic. Two months ago, they moved from bustling Rabinal into their new home, which is located right on the sleepy outskirts of town. Ubalda enjoys the peace and quiet that they had never enjoyed before. “We are so well and happy here. It’s something to call our own,” she says.

A new Habitat home has afforded both Sindy and Ubalda a new source of ownership. Before, they had struggled with paying rent. “We were living and renting for six years in Zone 3 of Rabinal, by the riverbank,” Sindy explains. “Although it was a good house, it was difficult. We wanted to move so that we didn’t have to rent anymore. We wanted something of our own.”

“For two years, we had bought this land and wanted to do something with it,” Ubalda adds. Sindy nods. “Habitat Guatemala is quite well known in Baja Verapaz and Rabinal, so that’s how we knew of it. A coworker recommended that I look into it. And it was quick. We submitted the paperwork, and fifteen days later, we were approved.”

Moving has provided new work opportunities to mother and daughter. Sindy is in charge of managing credits with Micoope, a Guatemalan nonprofit organization that functions as a savings and credit agency and that encourages economic development. After working tirelessly throughout the day, Sindy says that she enjoys coming home to a quiet house at night. “We’re more comfortable. It’s calmer here, not as loud.”

Ubalda used to sell ice cream downtown, but has since taken up new business ventures. She currently raises chickens in their backyard. “I sell eggs door to door here. I have ten hens—for the moment,” she says with a smile on her face. Living and working at home has allowed her to spend more time with Sindy’s one-year-old niece, Daylin, who can contentedly watch cartoons in the living room.

Sindy and Ubalda also remember the volunteers who came to help transform their lives with great fondness. “They were friendly—I was with them the entire time,” recalls Ubalda. “We feel very happy for their support of our house. Thanks to them, we have something to call ours.”

“They worked a lot, almost so much that they left me with no work to do. They had lunch with my niece, and she posed for many photos with them,” laughs Sindy.

To those same volunteers who built their home, Sindy has a special message: “We have you in our minds. We send you greetings from here. When you come back, we will be waiting for you. May God always accompany you. We thank you for supporting us, for spending time with us.”