María lives with her husband Edgar and their five children, Edgar (11), Eddison (10), Madeline (8), Belsy (4) and baby Melany (11 months old) in a small community in Chimaltenango, Guatemala.

While Edgar works in agriculture, María takes good care of the children and the house chores.

She explains how partnering with Habitat for Humanity Guatemala to implement a smokeless stove has improved aspects of her family’s daily life: “I used to cook over an open flame on a wheelbarrow. Causing us severe respiratory diseases, even my newborn baby got really sick with the old stove smoke,” she continues, “I feel content with the new one! It saves wood and there is no more smoke inside our kitchen.”

María finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers: “Thank you for your support, I am very grateful to you all.”

María lives with her husband, Pedro, and their five children, twins Juan Carlos and Rolando (17) Jorge Luis (11), Fernando (9) and Rosa Maribel (3) in a small community in Sololá. While  María’s  husband works in agriculture, she takes care of the home and of the older children when they are home from school.

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.

María shares how implementing a smokeless stove has improved aspects of her family’s daily life: “I used to cook over an open flame for more than 19 years! And the smoke caused me to have headaches and respiratory diseases,” she continues; “with the new one I feel a huge change now, no more headaches and my kitchen is free of smoke. I feel very happy!”

Before, María and her family were able to build a new latrine as part of the kit, they rented one from their relatives that was far away and very uncomfortable. “Our new latrines is better,” María exclaims. “It is more comfortable and more private too!”

When asked about their water filter, María explains that they used to drink water directly from the sink, which caused them to suffer from different illnesses, now, they do not get sick anymore and the water tastes better.

She finishes by sharing a message to the donors: “May God bless you all! Thank you for your support.”

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.”