Zuleyca (32) and her children José Luis (6), Alexis Enrique (3) and Manuel Enrique (1) receive us smiling in their garden on the outskirts of Aldea El Xab, El Asintal, Rethaluleu. His husband, Luis Enrique,is a police officer and is currently at work.  With the support of local Habitat staff, they filled out the paperwork, applied for a bank loan and started building. . 

“We didn’t know about the installment option before.” – Zuleyca tells us – “But this was the only way we could build the house on our own. Now we have a nice house and we can pay off the installments without pressure. We also plan to enlarge the fence and build a new room. A new gate is also planned.” 

The children play serenely in the garden during our visit and bring us fruit they picked themselves. 

 

“We lived next door before with my mother and brother. It was very cramped. Now we have a stable house and our privacy, yet we live as a family. The children can play safely in the garden. I can take care of the chickens, cook and we also grow corn.” – Zuleyca showing  pride . 

“I almost can’t find the words, to thank all the volunteers! That someone helps us without payment is very unusual for us. We became friends and went on trips together.” – Zuleyca’s eyes light up as she tells us about her memories. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domingo, her wife Petronila and their four children, Pedro (17), Gaspar (14), Domingo (9) and Josefina (3), live in the community of Tzamchaj, Santiago Atitlán, Sololá. Domingo works as a fisherman while Petronila makes handicrafts and takes care of the house chores.  

When Gaspar was born the family discover that he was born with varus clubfoot and intellectual disability. This caused several inconveniences to the family, as they suffered discrimination from the community. But they continued to stay together and united forces for Gaspar. Later, they found out about ADISA and started assisting when he was two years old and got surgery at three.  Since then, he has been attending ADISA, and now goes once a week to therapy. “We want Gaspar to have a normal life, I would like for him to continue studying and become a professional.”  mentions Domingo.  When we asked Gaspar what he wants to do when he grows up, he answers: “ I want to be a fisherman, just like my father.”  

The family used to live on a house that was in poor condition, built with corrugated metal sheets and dirt floor.  When the wind was too strong, they had to tied them with a rope. Everyone had to sleep on the floor. Also, their stove was in poor condition; causing them to suffer from respiratory diseases. 

Thanks to the support of ADISA, Habitat Guatemala has been able to build a new house for this family! Allowing them to have access to a safe, clean space, not only for the children, but for everyone. When we made the second visit, Gaspar was in school, but left his greetings with his family.  

“We are very happy and grateful with our new house; my children are safe. The house is big, and illuminated,” mentions Domingo. “Now, I have enough light and a comfortable space to make my handcrafts” adds Petronila.  

The family shares a message for the donors: “Words are not enough to give thanks to all of you, on behalf of my family. Thank you!”. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“This is the first of a total of 48 stoves built here with us in Guachipilin!” – says Joaquin Raxaco Sical accompanied by his wife Angelinaas they proudly show us their stove, which was built with the support of Union Church.

Angelina is cooking corn, and tells us that it is now much easier to prepare food, as she no longer needs to bend down and her eyes don’t water because smoke doesn’t accumulate in the kitchen .

Angelina and Joaquin have raised 10 children . They proudly tell that they have 27 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Most of them live in the city. Joaquin is a 72 year old farmer who is a volunteer for Habitat and his village of Guachipilin.

He has coordinated the work for the construction of the stoves earlier this year. Proudly he tells us that he is responsible for the water supply of the village. “When the 48 stoves were completed, we celebrated together and thanked the donors and God. On behalf of every one the families, I want to say thank you to the donors. Our lives have become much easier.” -says Joaquin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our way through Guachipilin near Rabinal, we visit the house  of Glenda Amarilis Cahuc Mendoza. The young woman is busy washing clothes andthe washed pieces are drying in the sun. She welcomes us with a smile..

Her husband Minor  is a construction worker and is currently working on a construction site. Their son Cristopher Armando attends the local school.

“I had headache from the smoke when I used to cook over the open fire pit on the ground” – Glenda tells us, pointing to the kitchen, which is located in a small room. “Thank God the new stove was built. There is less smoke in the kitchen and I use less wood.¨ .

Once a week shecleans the stove according to the maintenance instructions given to her by Habitat Guatemala. This ensures that the stove will work without problems for a long time.

Glenda feels it is important to express her gratitude to the donors, because they could not have raised the money for a new stove on their own. The new stove has come at the right time for her and her family, as wood has become considerably expensive in recent months.