Doña Rosa (60) lives with her husband, Juan, and five of her daugters Ingrid, Dalia, Glenda, Maritza, Eudalia, in the community of San Andrés Semetabaj, near Lake Atitlán, in the departament of Sololá. Rosa dedicates to sell natural medicine to people in her community while her husband works in agriculture.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s Healthy Home Kit, families receive a smokeless stove, a sanitary latrine and a water filter. This helps 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.

“I used to cook over an old stove that was in poor conditions. 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. I can also warm water to shower. We feel content with it!” says doña Rosa.

Before receiving their new latrine, doña Rosa explains that the old one was also in poor conditions. “Now that we have a new latrine, we feel happy and safe, we built the adobe blocks and now it is pretty!” says Rosa. Things are going great with their water filter too. Now, they can drink potable water and not get sick, specially because they are a big family, there is plenty for everyone to drink safe water.

Rosa refers 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.”

Doña Estilia (60) lives with her husband, Maleno (68), and her uncle, Valerio, in the community of San Andrés Semetabaj, near Lake Atitlán, Sololá. While Maleno works in agriculture, Estilia weaves traditional clothes from home.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s Healthy Home Kit, families receive a smokeless stove, a sanitary latrine and a water filter, to help them improve their health by giving them adequate access to proper sanitation, potable water and a smoke free environment.

“I used to cook over an old stove that was in poor conditions, before that I did not have any stove, I cooked over an open flame on the floor. With the new one I feel content, we have been able to save wood too. It is better because I can cook everything at once, my tortillas, coffee, beans!” Estilia has felt a difference in her health; no more eye irritation because the smoke no longer stays inside the kitchen.

Before receiving their new latrine, she explains that their old latrine was very old and in poor conditions “I can not remember for how long we had been using the old latrine, maybe 10 – 15 years, it was covered with wood sticks. Now, the new one is pretty good, comfortable and private.” The family has also felt a difference with their water filter. Before they drank water directly from the sink, causing them intestinal diseases. Now, it is easier and safer to drink potable water from the filter. “The water from the filter tastes better, and we can drink it whenever we want,” says Estilia.

Estilia refers to her time with the volunteers; “It was an excellent day! in the group everybody work the same as hard! We were very happy to receive them,” she continues, “Maltiox! (thank you) to all of the volunteers for their support. Receive our greetings and may God bless you.”