Nicolasa lives with her husband Gaspar, in a small community in Sololá.  While Gaspar works in the fields, Nicolasa is a homemaker and takes care of the family pets.

“I used to cook on an old stove that was really small; I learned about Habitat Guatemala’s Healthy Home Kit project, talked to my husband and we decided to try it,” explains Nicolasa. A few months later, she is happy with the stove. “I feel content. The stove is working great and it does not consume a lot of firewood. It heats up quickly and gives me enough space to cook all of my meals.”

Thanks to Habitat for Humanity Guatemala, Nicolasa and Gaspar are no longer affected from issues created by smoke. They used to cough and suffer from irritated eyes. Now, she can cook without any fear of having health issues. Moreover, because the stove consumes less firewood, Nicolasa does not need to buy as many logs as before.

The water filter has also improved their health. Nicolasa notes that they no longer suffer from stomachaches. She also has found that the taste of the water is MORE appealing. In addition, the latrine has improved their living conditions and is now a cleaner, healthier and a more private environment.

When asked about the group that came to help her family, a smile appears on Nicolasa’s face, “Congratulations to all the volunteers that came to support us! We had a great time together. Thank you!”

Byron, his wife Glendy, and their two children,  Marleny (9) and Jefferson (5), are currently living in their new Habitat home in San Andrés Semetabaj, Sololá. While Byron mainly works as a mason, he also works as a clown named, “Trishano” and holds many different occupations, Glendy takes care of the children and the household chores.

“When we started our family, we were living in a wooden house in the land across the street. Later on, we were able to build another house (the one that is below us). This space was not enough for my family, we needed a bigger and safer space.” says Byron. After learning about Habitat’s programs, Byron and Glendy decided it was time to build a new home and provide their children with a safe and adequate future.

When asked how they feel with their new home, Byron responds, ”We feel very happy to have our house, my children too! As you can see, I have made some improvements to it; we built the front porch, and added tiles to the floor too. We are very content.” In the future they are planning to paint the house.

What their family enjoys most about being at home is playing together, as well as sitting to eat together on the front porch, while watching the rain fall. Their lives have changed in a major way, “We feel very comfortable, everyone has their own space now,” explains Byron.

About the week of construction with the volunteers, Byron recalls, “They were hard workers! They carried a lot of materials and were of great help in the construction!” He finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers, “We are very grateful for your support, for coming from abroad to help families like ours is admirable. Thank you again! The door to our house is always open. Please feel welcome to come at anytime.”

María lives with her husband, Juan, and their six children, Mario (13), José (11), Tomás (9), Leslie (8), Silvia (7),Tomasa (4) and a one year old baby, in a small community in Sololá.  While Juan works as a mason, María takes care of the children.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive the family’s sanitary latrine, the family had been using an old one for almost 12 years. It was in poor conditions already.

María found out about the latrines project through the local committee members, and decided with her husband to participate and receive a new latrine. When asked how she feels with her new latrine, María responds, “I feel happy with it, it has been working great.”

Regarding the time spent with the volunteers, she shares,  “We had a good time with them while building our latrine. Maltiox! Thank you all for your support. We send our greetings. May God bless you all.”