(Pictured Sara and her niece, who constantly visits her)

The Carrillo family is currently living in their new Habitat home in the department of El Progreso. Sara (25), works as a waiter in a local restaurant and her husband, Axel (32), is a retailer at a local store. When we visited their family we learned that it is about to grow in numbers, the young couple is expecting their first baby girl!

Sara and Axel were still dating, and planning to get married, when she found out about Habitat Guatemala’s programs through a local fair. Sara explains their situation, “First our house and then our marriage… now we are ready to start our family!”

“I am so happy and very content to have my own space. It is a great achievement for me!” explains Sara about how she feels about her home. She continues to explain their plans for the future, “I want to paint it and in the future add more rooms. I like to cook, spend time with my husband and listen to music too.”

As for the family’s experience with the volunteers Sara says, “They liked to share a lot of time with us. We made great memories with them when we walked around our neighborhood.” She continues, “thank you very much for your support, I will always carry you in my heart and mind. Feel welcome whenever you want to come back.”

Iris Pinol lives with her husband, Luis, and their five children, Jorge (16), Julio (14), Oscar (12), Brian (8) and Luisa (4) in the department of El Progreso. Iris works in a tortilla shop and her husband works as a mason. Prior to building their Habitat home, the family lived in a shack made out of metal sheets on the same land where they currently live. These previous conditions meant that water entered the house in when it rained and the heat was very strong on hot days.

After learning about Habitat Guatemala through some family members, Luis decided it was time to build a home of their own.

“We are so happy, because now our children have a stable and safe house!” says Iris. She continues explaining their plans for the future, “We want to paint it on the inside in the future. We enjoy spending our time together inside.”

Iris thoughtfully reflects on her time with the volunteers who came and helped her build her home, “It was a nice experience for us to share with all the volunteers, my daughter still remembers you every day.  Thank you for your support, we will always remember you.“

Jeraldy lives with her husband Ariel their daughter Gladys and two step children José and Jesús in their new home in the Luis Samayoa Housing community. Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, they rented a small house for almost two years.

When they found out that Jeraldy was expecting a baby, they decided it was time to build a place of their own. When asked how she feels with her house, Jeraldy replies: “I’m happy. There is nothing better that being home!”

About the volunteers Jeraldy remarks: “It was an unforgettable week, they worked really hard, they did not care about the heat,” she continues, “thank you all for your support, we will never forget you, may God bless you!”

Cynthia, her husband Danis and their children, Fernando (8) and Valentina (4) are now living in their new house in Zacapa.  Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the family lived in a relative’s house for almost five years, then rented a different house for two more years.

After learning about Habitat’s program through a friend that has a house in the community were they are now located, the young couple decided it was time to start building their own house.

“We feel happy. Happy to give our children a safe place to live, this belongs to us now,” says Danis about how he feels in their new house. “I feel happy and calm here. There is a nice breeze in the afternoon. I am happy that my children now have their own space to play,” adds Cynthia.

Being the 100,000th Housing Solution they recall a lot of happy memories with all the volunteers that were helping them build their house. “It was a really nice experience, we enjoy a lot that week with all the volunteers,” says Danis.

“Thank you all for your support. All of you worked really hard! Fernando and Valentina were always here and got used to playing with you,” says Cynthia to the volunteers.