Mónica lives with her husband Lisandro and her baby boy Matias in their new Habitat home in the Luis Samayoa Housing Community, Usumatlán, Zacapa. Before partnering with Habitat, they rented a house for more than two years.

When Mónica and Lizandro decided to form a family, they wanted to have a home to raise their child. After learning about Habitat, they decided to partner with us to build their house.

About her house she says: “I like to clean my house and spend time on the porch, I like the weather here it is nice and cool, I am happy and very grateful to have the opportunity to have my own house.” They are planning to paint and add a garden in the future to their house.

“I remember that they were really funny and hard workers”. Thank you all for your large support, thank you for being a part of this dream, that is now a reality,” says Mónica about the volunteers.

María, her husband Alexis, and their son Jorge (3), are now living in their new house in Zacapa. Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, María and her family were renting for more than five years. While Alexis is working, María takes care of  her son and her niece.

The young couple learned about Habitat Guatemala from a friend and decided it was a great opportunity to make the dream of having their own house a reality.

“I feel happy with my house, we enjoy time with our son, he likes to play a lot. I enjoy the weather here too”, reflects María about her home. “Our lives have changed a lot with our own house now. We know that we are paying for something that belongs to us”.

The family is planning to add tiles to the floor and different plans for the future, such as expanding their garden and painting the walls. “I like to water my plants, we have different trees in the garden.” says María.

About the experience with the volunteers, she says, “I was used to be working in an office and they surprised me with how hard they worked! Thank you for your support! For people like you, we are now able to make our dream come true.”

Gabriela and her family live in their new Habitat home in the Luis Samayoa Housing Community in Usumatlán, Zacapa.  Gabriela lives with her husband Cristian and their children Cristian (3) and Regina (2).

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, Gabriela and her family were living in different relative’s houses, sometimes even having to sleep on the ground. When they found out about our Habitat’s work, they started to apply for a house. They were then approved to build their own house!

When asked about her house she explains, “I was very excited when I found out that we were approved. I feel free here, with my own space! I am happy, very happy.”

Gabriela is appreciative of the volunteers who came and supported them in their journey of building a new home. “Thank you for all of your support, we will be waiting for you here,” says Sonia. “We shared very good moments with them.”

Doña María lives with her husband and four children in the department of Sololá, Guatemala. While she takes care of her home and family, her husband works in the fields.

María used to cook on a stove that was old and in bad shape, which made her sick. “We feel happy and safe now. We save wood now too, we do not have to buy so often,” she says.

As part of the Healthy Home Kit, María’s family also received a sanitary latrine and a water filter. The latrine that used before was around 15 years old and they had to share it with the rest of their relatives.  They have also noticed a big change with the water filter, as now they feel that the water tastes better.

They cherish the good memories shared with the volunteers: “they put a small gift inside the stove so we can remember them always,” María continues, “we are very grateful with them and for their support, may God bless you.”