Henry, Maria and their four children Christian(10), Henry (9), Stephanie (4) and Adriana (1) live in the village of Xecaracoj, Quetzaltenango. They have lived in their Habitat home now for seven months. Before, they lived in a small house, just at the back of their current house, where they had lived for eight years. The house was made of cement blocks but had dirt floors and only had enough room for the family’s beds and their stove.

“We’re so grateful that Habitat brought this project to our town, because before, they were only able to bring services to larger municipalities. We’re so glad an area like ours can now receive this service,» says Henry, his older brother built a Habitat home 13 years ago, and recently, Henry’s father reminded him that Habitat was an organization that could help the family improve their living conditions.

“Here in Quetzaltenango, it is very expensive to be able to build a house because it is expensive to buy the land, to bring the water, light, drainage and then buy building materials and pay for labor. But thanks to Habitat, the building materials and labor expenses are taken care of and the rest we are able to take care of and pay for the house, the same as if we were paying rent,» says Henry.

“When asked how the kids feel, “excellent, magnificent” Henry says with a grin. “Happy, it is a much better environment and healthier for the kids.” Maria adds. “Before, there was dirt. Now, there are floors, and doors, and a bathroom. Before we had an outdoor toilet and there were snakes, toads, coachroaches, and there was not any light. When the kids would use the bathroom at night, I worried that they could get bitten by something or fall into the hole,» she continues; «I worried a lot. Now they can go to the bathroom, there’s light, there aren’t any animals, and with just a flush, the water and waste goes away. It’s excellent.»

To the group of volunteers, the couple says, “We send our greetings to our friends! How are you? We hope you’re doing so well and appreciate how you keep in touch and ask about us!” “We are so grateful to you all that you came to lend a hand and we hope that one day you’ll come and visit us.” Says Maria. Henry adds, “We keep in touch with some of the volunteers, and they ask for pictures and tell us what a beautiful house!” “We’re so happy to still know them and have a way to show our appreciation.”

 

 

 

 

Brenda and Nehemias live with their two daughters Deborah (3) and Rebecca (6 months) in the village of Cantel, Quetzaltenango. Brenda sells cosmetic products and takes care of the home and Nehemias is a tailor, who specializes in traditional indigenous wear.

Before building their home, the couple lived in one bedroom in Brenda’s mother’s home.  There was little space to walk in the room and with a second baby on the way, the couple knew they needed a place of their own. Brenda’s mom gifted them a plot of land behind her home where they could build a house and they consider her a special part of the process, “we wouldn’t be here without her.”

“How do you feel having your own house?” we asked, “Relieved,” says Brenda. In the new house, they are content, “ we have our kitchen and enough space in the living room where Deborah can run around – even now when it rains for example, she has space to play inside.”

In the future the couple would like to create an addition for another bedroom and a place for a garden. “We have a bit of a garden that we’re already growing. When the volunteers were here, they gifted us flowers and trees. Roses in white, yellow and dark red and peach, pear and laurel trees.”

To the group, Brenda and Nehemias share their heartfelt thank you—“we’re so grateful for the help that you came and gave—it helped a lot.” During the time of the build, Brenda was almost due for delivery with Rebecca. “I couldn’t lift anything, and they arrived to help without conditions or reservations—they just came and helped and it’s something I’ll never forget because they came to help us succeed.” Of the entire process from start to finish, Brenda and Nehemias had this to share: “When you make major life decisions there is always fear. Habitat gave us the courage to make this decision, and when the volunteers came, it gave us encouragement to continue. We’re so happy we did this and will always carry you in our heart.”

Julio (45), Rosa Maria (38), Edgar (36), Martarelli  (33), and Daniel (27) are siblings. They are five of their parents eight children who live together in the rural town of Cantel, Quetzaltenango.

When they were children, their parents taught each of them to weave and now they all have this ability that sustains their livelihood. Daniel and Martarelli work in a Cooperative, while Julio, Edgar and Rosa work from home to create new pieces of fabric for sale. They’ve been doing this for many years and find that by working together, they are more productive and profitable.

Nineteen years ago, their parents moved into a 3-bedroom adobe home. When both parents passed, the home was left to all eight siblings. They’ve lived in and maintained the house since, living two or three in each bedroom until just recently when Daniel petitioned for the family to pool together and build a new house. The new house would be an addition to the existing house that would make their communal living more comfortable and give each person a chance to have their own room. The result is a brand-new Habitat home connected to their family’s existing house and the family love it – the old and the new, side by side.

Julio lives in the old part of the house and the remaining four siblings, Rosa Maria, Edgar, Martarelli and Daniel have their rooms in the new part of the house.

When asked about the volunteers, Julio shared that they were great volunteers, worked hard and had a great attitude.

José agreed, ‘that they were joyful, always smiling and shared this sentiment, «it wasn’t important to them our differences but it was important to them to help—and because of this, we all got along really well.»

Their message to the group is this «the fruit of your labor is what we have—that our family can enjoy. Thank you for all that you paid to come a long way to help other families without knowing them—it’s a great thing what you did. We are very grateful to you for this help, Daniel is always saying what a great place we have and live in now. It was a beautiful experience.»