Doña Reyna lives with her husband Juan Roberto, in a small community called el Rajón, Chimaltenango. Reyna takes care of the home, while Ramiro works as a teacher.

Before partnering up with Habitat Guatemala to receive a Smokeless Stove, Reyna used to cook on an old stove that was gifted to them. “It was very hard to cook in it, because it consumed a lot of wood, and did not worked correctly,” says Reyna. It caused her and Juan different respiratory diseases and red eyes because of the smoke.

Reyna feels really happy with her new stove; “I feel happy and content with my new stove. It is big enough for me to cook all my meals, and the tortillas. It saves wood too! We do not need to buy wood as often. What I like to cook the most is fried chicken!”

When asked about the process of building her stove, Reyna refers; “I found out about this project through my mother- in-law, she told me about it, and we decided we wanted to participate,” she continues, “it was really fun to build our adobe blocks, all our family got together and made different shifts to finish them. We all worked together as a community and managed to finish on time for construction.”

About the day of construction, Reyna recalls; “It was a fun day, they worked hard. All of them were really kind.”  – She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers: “Thank you for coming to build our stove, thank you for your support! It has made our life much easier.”

Elmer, his wife, Elsa and her children, Wendy (30) Allan (22), and Enohías (25), are now living in their new Habitat home in Sacatepéquez. Elmer works as a transit police, while María takes care of the house chores. Wendy, works in Guatemala city and travels every day. Allan is an electrician and works as a carpenter. Enohías is living in their old house (which is next to the new one) with his wife, and their two boys.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the family used to live in the house that is located next to the new one. “we were living next door, but it was very small. Before building in here, this used to be our kitchen, we had to tear it down and build the new one.  The old house was very small and there was not enough room for all of us anymore.”

Elmer explains they learned about Habitat Guatemala’s programs through a presentation that the promoter gave at their work. After doing some research, they decided it was time to invest in a space of their own. “we were very interested since the beginning, because we needed to extend the house, to have more space for everybody,” he mentions.

When asked how they feel with their new home, Elmer answers, “First of all I give thanks to God. Now we all feel more calm and happy, everyone has their own room,” he continues, “We just waited for the inauguration ceremony with the affiliate and started moving all our stuff that same day.”

Elmer says that what they enjoy the most in their house is tranquility. “Sometimes we are resting in the porch and my wife says that she still cannot believe that we have our own space now, after waiting so long,” he continues, “we have an inside bathroom, so all of us can shower with warm water, before all the men in the house had to shower outside.”

When asked about the time shared with the volunteers Elmer recalls, “All the volunteers were hard workers! They helped us a lot to advance in the process of building our home quickly,” he continues, “it was a great time, we enjoyed our time together, made jokes and played a lot with my grandchildren.”

“Thank you all for your support! May God bless you, and help you continue with this labor. Not everybody does this kind of work and we were lucky enough to receive you here,” he continues, “I hope you feel as satisfied as I do, because you were a part of this dream being fulfilled.”

Luis Marroquín, his wife, Ingrid and her two children, Daniela (12) and Sofía (7), are now living in their new Habitat home in Chimaltenango. Luis works in Guatemala city as a delivery man.

When we visited the family, Luis was working in Guatemala City, so they could not be present, but his brother in law Luis welcomed us to chat.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the family had been renting for over 15 years. After learning Habitat Guatemala’s programs through a relative that owns a Habitat house, they decided it was time to invest in something for their own, a place for their girls to grow up.

When asked how they feel with their new home, Luis answers, “My sister and her family are feeling really happy and content, a fulfilled dream, they know they are paying for something that belongs to them,” he continues, “They are planning to add tiles to the floor and furnished the whole house.”

When asked about the time shared with the volunteers Luis recalls, “We had a good time, all the volunteers worked really hard. They were kind too.”

He finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers: “Thank you all for being a part of the construction of this home! May God bless you, not everybody has that calling of helping others, but you did!”