Sebastiana, her mother Nicolasa, her brother Manuel, her daughter Martha, and her grandson Juan, are currently living in a small community in Sololá.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive her smokeless stove, Sebastiana used to cook on an old stove for over 15 years. It was in poor conditions, causing them respiratory diseases, “The new one leaves no smoke inside the kitchen, we no longer get sick. It saves a lot of wood too.” She continues, “We enjoy cooking beans, rice and tortillas because the stove is big.”

For the group that came to help build their stove, Sebastiana sends this message, “Thank you all for your support! We would have taken longer to build the stove without you. We are very happy with it.”

Graciela lives with her husband Gerson, Abimael (19) Romeo (15), Eliazar (11) in a small community in Sololá.  While Gerson works in agriculture, Graciela is a homemaker.

“I used to cook on an old stove for over 18 years that was in poor conditions. It was old and the smoke spread inside the kitchen; We learned about Habitat Guatemala’s Healthy Home Kit project, and decided to take this opportunity,” explains Graciela. A few months later, she is content with the stove. “I feel happy with it. It gives me enough space to cook all of my dishes at once. It does not consume a lot of firewood,” she continues, “I enjoy cooking pasta with tomato sauce and cheese.”

Thanks to Habitat for Humanity Guatemala, Graciela and her family are no longer affected from issues created by smoke. Furthermore, because the stove consumes less firewood, Graciela does not need to buy as many logs as before.

The water filter has also improved their family’s health. Before, Graciela needed to boil the water for consumption. Now, they no longer suffer from stomachaches and it does not tastes like chlorine. In addition, the latrine has improved their living conditions and is now a cleaner, healthier and a more private environment for them.  The family’s old latrine, was near their rooms, and it was very uncomfortable and unhealthy.

When asked about the group that came to help her family, Graciela responds; “They were really friendly, worked hard and we felt very happy working with them.” She continues, “Thank you all! We are very grateful for your support. Now, my tortillas are no longer brown because of the smoke. On behalf of my family, we send you many greetings and blessings.”

Irma lives with her two daughters, Irma (14) and Evelyn (11), in San Andrés Semetabaj, Sololá. Irma takes care of the girls and weaves traditional clothes to generate income for her family.

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.

“I used to cook on an older stove for over 14 years. It consumed much more wood, which is more expensive. The new one has helped me save money because it consumes less wood. I do not need to buy wood very often. It lights up really fast and it is easier to cook,” says Irma. Irma has felt a difference in their health, no more eye irritation because the smoke no longer stays inside the kitchen.

Before receiving their new latrine, Irma explains that the old one was in poor conditions. “The new one is much comfortable, we feel happy.” The family has also felt a difference with their water filter too, 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, especially the girls! “They are happy and drinking a lot of water now, without getting sick,” says Irma.

Irma refers to her time with the volunteers; “We always remember them! It was very fun to spend time with them,” she continues, “May all of you receive our greetings. Thank you all for coming to support us, congratulations for coming to Guatemala. I encourage you to continue supporting more families like ours.”