Bertha lives with her husband, Ronaldo, and their children Osmar (18), Juan (17), Nehemías (14), Gisela (11) and Bertha (6) in a small community in San Lucas Tolimán. While Ronaldo works in agriculture, Bertha is a home maker.

As part of our Healthy Home Kit, families receive a smokeless stove, a sanitary latrine and a water filter, these products help them improve their health by giving them adequate access to proper sanitation, potable water and a smoke-free environment.

Bertha shares how implementing a smokeless stove has improved aspects of their family’s daily life, “I had a stove before, but my elder son got married and we decided to leave it with them, so I had to start cooking over an open flame,” she continues, “now, with the new one I feel much better and happy. We can save wood too!”

Previously, Bertha and her family had an old latrine, more than 20 years old, that was in poor condition.  Now the new one is cleaner and more comfortable. Regarding their water filter, Bertha explains that they used to drink water directly from the sink. Now, the kids can come inside and drink it from the filter without any problems, it is fresh and clean with no more bad flavors.

She finishes with a message to the volunteers; “It was a great day! They worked really fast and hard, and we shared lunch together,” she continues; “thank you for your support in building my kit, may God bless you and take good care of you.”

Filomena lives with her husband Nicolás, and her sons, William and Nixón, in a small community in Sololá. While Nicolás works in agriculture, Filomena is a homemaker.

As part of our Healthy Home Kit, families receive a smokeless stove, a sanitary latrine and a water filter, these products help them improve their health by giving them adequate access to proper sanitation, potable water and a smoke free environment.

Filomena shares how implementing a smokeless stove has improved aspects of their family’s daily life: “I used to cook on an old small stove which I owned for more than twenty years,” she continues; “Now the new one is very big, gives me enough room to cook and saves wood.”

When asked how she feel with her new stove, she answers: “I feel very content with it, it is working really well.”

Previously, the family had a latrine that was in poor conditions, which was covered just with nylon. “Our new latrine is prettier, we have more privacy and is more comfortable.”

Regarding their water filter, Filomena explains that they used to drink water directly from the sink, and sometimes she used to boiled it but it became more contaminated, but with the new one it is safer and tastes better.

She finishes by sending a message to the volunteers: “Thank you all for your support in building my kit, we had a good day sharing with you.»

Doña Juana is a grandmother living on her own in a small room, next to her son’s house in a community within Sololá.

As part of our Healthy Home Kit, families receive a smokeless stove, a sanitary latrine and a water filter, these products help them improve their health by giving them adequate access to proper sanitation, potable water and a smoke-free environment.

Juana shares how implementing a smokeless stove has improved aspects of her family’s daily life: “I used to cook over an open flame on the floor, causing my eyes to be irritated,” she continues, “ I feel happy with the new stove, there is no more smoke inside my room, and my eyes are getting better, I can cook my tortillas whenever I get hungry too.”

Before, Doña Juana was able to build a new latrine as part of the kit, she had an old one in poor conditions, covered by nylon. “The new one is way better!” María exclaims,“It is easier to clean and more comfortable.”

When asked about her water filter, Juana explains that she used to drink water directly from the sink. “It is easier to drink from the filter now, I can save water too, because we do not have too much water.”

She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers: “Maltiox! (thank you) Thanks to all the volunteers and God for your support. Thank you for coming to my house and building these products for me.”