María lives with her husband, José, and their 8 children, Santos (20), Toribio (19), Marta (17), Luis (16), Agustina (11), Juana (9), Aura (7) and Marcela (5) in a small community in Chimaltenango. While José works in the fields, María 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.

María explains; “I used to cook on an metal barrel, over and open flame. Causing me red eyes and several burns in my hands.” When she found out about the project through a relative member, she did not think it twice, and signed up!

She feels satisfied with her new stove; “It is working great! No more smoke inside our kitchen, I do not burn myself anymore and I can save wood.”

María refers to her time with the volunteers; “They worked really hard and carried all the materials to build it. It was a fun time, they played with the girls,” she continues, “Thank you for all your support! May God bless you.”

Francisca lives in Chimaltenango with her two girls, Evelyn (17), María (10), her brothers Walter (11), Edwin (14), and Jairo (17). 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, Francisca used to cook over and open fire on the floor for her entire life. Causing them respiratory diseases and burns. She explains that they found out about the project through the Habitat promotor, who explained all the process. After fulfilling all the requirements, she is now happy with her new stove.

When asked how she feels with her new smokeless stove, Francisca responds, “I feel content with it. It is working great, it does not consume much wood,” she continues, “It does not need much care, just to have it clean. I can cook fast and my favorite dish to prepare is beans and tortillas.”  The family supports their livelihood by working in the fields. Francisca weaves traditional clothes for and additional income with the rest of the family members.

Regarding their time spent with the volunteers, Francisca shares, “They work even harder than us! They did not care about the mud, they were happy working.”  She finishes by sending a message to the volunteers: “Thank you all for your support, I may never be able to pay you back, but thanks to you, I can now cook in a smoke free space.”

María Elena, lives with her husband José, , and their four children, Celia (15), Luis (13), Leslie (12) and Andrea (3) in a small community called el Rajón, Chimaltenango. María takes care of the home and occasionally goes with Ramiro to work in the fields.

As part of our 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.

When we visited the family, María and José were working in the fields, so, Leslie welcomed us to chat. Before partnering up with Habitat Guatemala to receive her kit, María used to cook on an old stove that was in poor conditions for over 6 years. Leslie says, “with the old stove, the smoke stayed inside, you can see that all the roof is stained, the smoke made us feel sick too.”

Leslie expresses that the family feels content with their stove, “We feel content with the new stove, the smoke goes outside now. And the best is that it saves wood, we do not need to go to the mountain to get it so often.”

Before receiving their new latrine, the family had one built with adobe and sticks in poor conditions. “The new one feels much comfortable, the water does not leak and its safer,” says Leslie.  Things are going great with their water filter too, now they can drink potable water and not get sick.

Leslie finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers; “All of the volunteers were really nice, they prayed for us. Sadly I was in school and did not have the chance to meet them, but my family told me about them,” she continues, “I want to thank them all for their support and wish them all the best.”