Odilia lives with her grandchildren, Luis (17) and Alejandra (15) and her mother Martha in their new Habitat home. Her daughter Rossanna (34), is currently living in another country in order to provide them with a living.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the family used to live in a small house with not enough room for everybody. That is why Rossana decided to invest in the future and built a home of their own, “especially for my daughter, so she can have a place to live when she comes back,” refers Odilia.

When asked regarding how she feels with their new home, Odilia says: “We feel happy, now we are no longer paying rent, we know that we are investing in something secure, she continues; “In the future we will like to change the ceiling and add a terrace,  for a second story, also add a wall to circle the house,” Says Odilia about future plans.

About the volunteers and their experience with them, Odilia recalls: “We enjoyed our time with them! They worked really hard. We went to the springs together and shared good memories, we even cooked!”

“Thank you for your support, it was really nice experience, we remember about you a lot! Feel welcome to come back again and visit us!”

Rosaura lives with her husband Erwin and their son Pablo (7) in their new Habitat home in Quetzaltenango. While Erwin works as a teacher, Rosaura weaves traditional clothes and takes care of the home.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the family used to live with Erwin’s mom in Cantel, a nearby town, in which there was not enough space for them. “It was a small house, with just two rooms, one for the kitchen and one for the bedroom,” explains Erwin.

The family learned about our programs through several neighbors and after doing some research they decided it was time to invest in a place to call their own! When asked about how they feel with their new home, Rosaura answers: “I feel happy, as a family we needed our privacy and now we have it!”

In the future they are planning to add doors to each room and make some small improvements to the house. “We are taking it step by step, because we would like to add lots of things!” says Erwin; “We are very joyful to have enough space! Now I can work without interrupting my son’s sleep and he can play whenever he wants to play now too.”

About the volunteers they recall: “it was a fun week, they worked hard, even though it was very difficult to carry all the materials and water!” Rosaura continues, “May God bless you for your support, I wish you all many success, receive our greetings. We miss and remember you everyday! Thank you for your love and playing with Pablo, the hearts that you left are inside our walls now.”

“We are grateful to Habitat staff for the support they give to all families in need.”

Doña Carmen, her husband Fredy, and their two daughters Alixa (17), Fatima (14) are now living in their new Habitat home in the department of Chimaltenango.  Fredy works as a salesman and Doña Carmen works in the Municipality of Guatemala City.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the family rented a house for over 22 years. And after learning about our programs through a friend, they decided it was time to build something to call their own.

When asked about how they feel with their home, Carmencita responds: “We feel happy and grateful to God and Habitat for this opportunity,” Fredy adds: “We are content, we can do whatever we want here, even our dogs are happy and free. It is calmer and relaxing in here.”

As a family they share good quality time in the house, “during the day it is hard because everybody is going in and out the house, but at night we all share dinner together and chat,” says Fredy.

Unfortunately Carmen, has found out that she has cancer and she has recently gone through chemotherapy, but she feels positive because now she has a safe place to recover!

Doña Carmen and her daughter smile while they remember the week of construction with the volunteers: “It was a fun week, they worked with good will,” she adds “they were really strong too!

Fredy shares that the volunteers put a coin inside the concrete mix for good luck and their daughters still wonder where it would be.

Doña Carmen shares in tears a message for the volunteers: “May all of you receive a big hug and our sincere gratitude for your support.”

 

Silvia lives with her husband Edwin and their son Darwin (5) in a small community in Chimaltenango. Edwin works in the fields and Silvia takes good care of Darwin and the house chores.

Before receiving her smokeless stove, Silvia used to cook over an open flame, that made it uncomfortable for her.

Now, with her new stove she says: “The new stove has helped me a lot, it is safer. There is no more smoke inside,” she continues, “and most important, it saves wood and gives me enough time to cook all my meals at the same time.”

Silvia still remembers the day that the volunteers came to build her stove, “It was a fun day! They were really nice” she continues, “Thank you for your support, I encourage you to keep on helping all the families in need.”