Blog – Página 68 – Hábitat para la Humanidad Guatemala

Construyendo sueños: Merlin Ortega

28 agosto, 2019/en Familias /por j.bailon

Contar con una vivienda adecuada tiene un impacto no sólo en la salud de la familia, sino también en el bienestar de las comunidades. Cuando las familias adquieren su vivienda obtienen la seguridad y la estabilidad que un hogar les puede brindar. En Guatemala miles de familias no cuentan con un espacio adecuado en donde vivir, es por ello que en Hábitat trabajamos para llegar a cada una de las comunidades .

Este es el caso de Merlin Ortega de 23 años, quien reside en el municipio de Santa María Ixhuatán en Santa Rosa. Conoció a Hábitat por medio de su hermana, quien le habló sobre las cuotas cómodas, los modelos de vivienda con los que se cuenta y los beneficios que tendría al invertir en su vivienda.

Merlin y su papá siempre habían vivido en la casa de su hermana, pero ellos deseaban contar con su propio espacio y ya que su papá le había heredado un terreno no dudó en acercarse a nuestra oficina. En tan solo 15 días contactaron a Merlin para indicarle que su crédito había sido aprobado, en ese momento la felicidad la invadió y no podía creer que a sus 23 años iba a contar con una vivienda propia.

Voluntarios de Whirlpool se pusieron manos a la obra en las distintas etapas de construcción, realizando distintas actividades como armar estructuras de hierro, trasladar materiales y apoyaron en nivelar el terreno. El aporte de los voluntarios es de gran importancia no solo para la economía de la familia, sino para la vida de cada uno de los voluntarios, que con un poco de tiempo y esfuerzo dejan un pedazo de su corazón en la construcción de un nuevo hogar.

“Agradezco mucho el apoyo que Hábitat me brindó, no hay palabras para describir lo emocionada que estoy, también gracias a los voluntarios de Whirlpool quienes con mucho entusiasmo me apoyaron en la construcción de mi casita”. Merlin Ortega, propietaria de una vivienda Hábitat.

Comunidades saludables: Blanca Chocón

28 agosto, 2019/en Familias /por j.bailon

El pasado 17 de agosto se visitó a familias de la comunidad Ciénaga Grande en Chimaltenango, quienes fueron beneficiadas con una Estufa Mejorada. Conocimos a Blanca Chocón quien vive en dicha comunidad desde hace años.

Blanca junto a su esposo y sus seis hijos, viven en condiciones de pobreza pero siempre buscan salir adelante. Antes de contar con una estufa ahorradora, Blanca cocinaba a fuego abierto en una “estufa” fabricada con un par de blocks y hierros que separaban la leña de su comida, pero gracias a las líderes comunitarias conocieron la labor de Hábitat y se involucraron en el proceso de adquirir su Estufa Mejorada.

A Blanca conseguir leña le lleva 3 horas ya que tiene que caminar al bosque en donde paga Q12 para que la dejen entrar y así puede buscar la leña que necesita. En ocasiones su esposo y sus hijos la acompañan a recoger leña para que les tarde más tiempo. Blanca y su hija de 12 años están muy contentas de su nueva estufa, ya que podrán cocinar y hacer tortillas al mismo tiempo sin quemarse.

“Es alegre ver a los jóvenes trabajar algo que es para nosotros, se ven contentos y con ganas de construir”. Blanca Chocón, beneficiaria de una Estufa Ahorradora de Leña.

Ruth Noemí López Family

27 agosto, 2019/en Meet our families, News /por admin

Ruth lives with her son, Diego Alejandro (3), in their new Habitat home in Barrio el Triunfo, San Benito, Petén. Ruth works in a law firm, while Diego stays with his grandparents during the day.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, Ruth used to live with her parents. “I was living with my parents, until I decided to build my own home. My family is big and very united, but, there are times where you need your own space,” she explains.

Ruth learned about Habitat programs through a coworker, who explained the process to her. After doing some research, she decided it was time to invest in a space of their own. “My prime motivation was to have a home for my son,” Ruth mentions.

When asked how she feels with their new home, Ruth answers, “I feel very happy. Every time I enter my home! To see that every effort that you make has its rewards is very comforting. I decided to move in on March 8^th (International Women’s Day) because I wanted it to be a special and important day.”

Both Ruth and Diego enjoy playing and painting. Laughing she shares, “Both of us need patience. We start playing and we end up fighting. I am always giving him tools to develop his brain and to be happy.”

In the future she is planning to add tiles to the floor and paint the house. “I have a small garden in the back. I want to plant lots of fruit trees for shade. I also want to add a hammock,” says Ruth.

When asked about her time with the volunteers Ruth recalls, “It was a very fun week. They helped us a lot with the construction of the house. It was an unforgettable experience, to know that people from abroad come to help you build your house. I will never forget them because they came to help us build something that will last for the rest of our lives.”

“Thank you all for giving your time and effort to support us. You not only helped us on a material level, but on a personal level, too. You will always be in our hearts. Thank you!” – Ruth López.

Edvin Eduardo Enríquez Family

27 agosto, 2019/en Meet our families, News /por admin

Cinthia lives with her husband Edvin, their two children, Luis (7) and Fabiola (2) and her sister, Edith (16), in their new Habitat home in Barrio Villa Hermosa, San Benito Petén. Edvin works in a sawmill, while Cinthia works doing odd jobs, such as cleaning homes & washing clothes.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the family rented a house for over four years. They were paying a considerable amount without any chance of owning the house in the future. Their prime motivation to build a new home was for the family to have their own space, “We learned about Habitat through an uncle and a local committee member,” says Cinthia.

She explains that after they learned about Habitat and had an opportunity to discuss it, they finally decided to invest in a home. The family wanted more space, “My husband was not 100% convinced, but after several talks I convinced him!” explains Cinthia.

When asked how they feel about their new home, Cinthia smiles, and responds, ”I feel great! With our own home. We are able to do what we want.” In the future, the family is planning to add tiles to the floor, and add an extra room. As a family, they enjoy spending time together. “We make popcorn and go outside to play with the kids and chill in the hammock,” says Cinthia.

When asked about the week of construction with the volunteers, she answers, “It was a great week. We always think about the volunteers and look at the pictures they left us.”

“Thank you all for this awesome experience. We will always remember you. Thank you for your support.” – Cinthia de Enríquez.

Angélica María González Family

27 agosto, 2019/en Meet our families, News /por admin

Angélica, who is a 22 years old girl, is living in her new Habitat home in Santa Elena, Petén. She has been working in a bank for over three years now.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, Angélica used to live with her parents. After learning about Habitat’s programs, she decided it was time to build her own home and make her dream a reality. “I now know the value of things. When you have your own stuff, you add more value to it. I am the youngest daughter and even though it was a lil bit hard, I wanted to gain independence,” says Angélica.

When asked how she feels with her new home, Angélica smiles and responds, ”I feel a great satisfaction to be able to achieve this at a young age.” She is planning to put a fence around the house and add a porch in the front in the future.

What Angélica enjoys most about being at her home is the ability to rest and listen to music. “My sister gifted me an stereo, so I enjoy listening to music,” she says.

She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers, “It was a beautiful experience to share with all of the volunteers. Thank you for your support, all your effort is evident with these walls. May God bless you all.”

William René Hernández Family

22 agosto, 2019/en Meet our families, News /por admin

William is now living in his new Habitat home in Valle de las Flores Habitat Housing Community in Escuintla. He was hired by Habitat to temporarily serve as the security guard and manager of the construction materials warehouse.

He is one of the 41 families who received a fully subsidized Habitat home through the Fuego Volcano Disaster Response project. The families who have benefited from the project are from the communities of San Miguel los Lotes, Los Barrios and El Rodeo. The Fuego Volcano eruption affected over 1.7 million Guatemalans, leaving many dead and missing, and thousands seeking refuge in temporary shelters.

Following the tragedy, where he lost his parents, sister, two nephews and his youngest son, William spent two months in the hospital with his oldest son, who suffered severe burns to his feet and hands. Later, they moved to a shelter for a period of time. After several tries, the Habitat Staff found him and informed him of the project.

Nine months have passed since William moved into his home in Valle de las Flores. When asked how he feels about his new home, he says, ”I feel content. I never imagined that I would receive a house. It is of big blessing.” He continues, “On a level side my life has changed and I feel good. On a personal level, I still miss all of my relatives.”

William enjoys every space of the house, but the weather is his favorite part! He has many memories of the construction process, and the volunteers and donors that helped them; “At first it was a little hard for me to adapt, but I learned fast. Now I know how to do a little bit of everything. It was a very good experience to share with everybody.”

To the donors and volunteers William says, “Thank you for all for your support. May God repay. May you receive many blessings.”