Angelina, her mother Enriqueta (92), and her children, Juan Carlos (11), Rudy (17), Ana María and her grandson Gudiel (2), are now living in their new Habitat home in San Juan Ostuncalco, Quetzaltenango. Angelina is a single mother and she works as a janitor in the municipality.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, Angelina mentions that they used to live in a Habitat house, built by her mother Enriqueta, over 20 years ago. “We needed more space, and that is why I decided to build a new home so that each of us has our own space,” says Angelina.

When asked how they feel with their new home, Angelina smiles and answers, “We feel happy to have a prettier and bigger house now. Everyone has their own bed and I have my own kitchen!” Angelina is planning to paint the house “bright orange” in the future.

When asked about the time shared with the volunteers, the family recalls, “It was a fun week! all of them were hard workers. We are grateful to them for their support,” she continues, “Thank you. May God bless you!”

Juana lives in Chimaltenango, with her husband, Ángel, and their daughter Marcela. Thanks to the support of Thrivent Builds, her family received a Habitat smokeless stove so that she can cook in a healthier environment.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive her smokeless stove, Juana used to cook over an open flame for over twenty years. “By cooking over the open flame, the smoke made me feel sick, caused eye irritation and I burned myself several times,” she says.

When asked how she feels with her new smokeless stove, Juana responds, “ I feel happy, I do not burn myself anymore, it gives us enough space to cook all our meals,” she continues, “It saves wood too and the smoke goes directly outside our kitchen.”

Regarding their time spent with the volunteers, Juana shares, “It was a fun day! They built our stove really fast,” she continues, “Thank you for your support, receive our greetings! May God bless you all.”

María lives with her husband, José, and their 8 children, Santos (20), Toribio (19), Marta (17), Luis (16), Agustina (11), Juana (9), Aura (7) and Marcela (5) in a small community in Chimaltenango. While José works in the fields, María takes care of the children and the household chores.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s smokeless stove program, families receive a stove, to help them improve their health by giving them a smoke free environment.

María explains; “I used to cook on an metal barrel, over and open flame. Causing me red eyes and several burns in my hands.” When she found out about the project through a relative member, she did not think it twice, and signed up!

She feels satisfied with her new stove; “It is working great! No more smoke inside our kitchen, I do not burn myself anymore and I can save wood.”

María refers to her time with the volunteers; “They worked really hard and carried all the materials to build it. It was a fun time, they played with the girls,” she continues, “Thank you for all your support! May God bless you.”

Francisca lives in Chimaltenango with her two girls, Evelyn (17), María (10), her brothers Walter (11), Edwin (14), and Jairo (17). Thanks to the support of Thrivent Builds, her family received a Habitat smokeless stove so that she can cook in a healthier environment.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive her smokeless stove, Francisca used to cook over and open fire on the floor for her entire life. Causing them respiratory diseases and burns. She explains that they found out about the project through the Habitat promotor, who explained all the process. After fulfilling all the requirements, she is now happy with her new stove.

When asked how she feels with her new smokeless stove, Francisca responds, “I feel content with it. It is working great, it does not consume much wood,” she continues, “It does not need much care, just to have it clean. I can cook fast and my favorite dish to prepare is beans and tortillas.”  The family supports their livelihood by working in the fields. Francisca weaves traditional clothes for and additional income with the rest of the family members.

Regarding their time spent with the volunteers, Francisca shares, “They work even harder than us! They did not care about the mud, they were happy working.”  She finishes by sending a message to the volunteers: “Thank you all for your support, I may never be able to pay you back, but thanks to you, I can now cook in a smoke free space.”