Catarina Zapeta lives with her husband Juan and their seven children in the department of Sololá, Guatemala.

By partnering with Habitat for Humanity Guatemala, Victoria and her family now have their own smokeless stove, sanitary latrine, and water filter.

Catarina and Juan explained that before receiving the new stove, they used to cook on an open fire stove that made them sick and made it hard to cook. They also had to use a lot of wood. “Our new stove is really good, we are happy because it is safe and it does not use a lot of wood, we have more space to cook too,” says Catarina.

About the latrine, Juan explains that before “we had to share one with two more families,” but now they feel good because they have their own privacy. With the water filter, they do not get sick anymore and the children are feeling better.

When asked about the volunteers, Catarina and Juan have positive memories. “Thank you for coming here and building with us. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

Ana is a single mother of three boys, Luis (17), Jesús (7) and Juan (5). They live in a rural community in Sololá, Guatemala and share a little house with her parents.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive a new stove, Ana’s family used to cook on her mother’s stove, sharing it with the rest of the relatives. “Now I feel happy, because I have my own stove. I can make my tortillas and cook my food,” she continues, “the old one used so much wood, but this one does not need much at all.”

“I have many good memories with the volunteers. They left the name of my sons written on the stove. Thank you all for your support,” says Ana while remembering the volunteers who came to help build.”

 

Ana María lives with her husband José and their daughter Glenda. While José is working in the fields, Ana María takes care of their house and daughter.

Ana María 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 on the floor on an open fire stove. There was a lot of smoke and it used to make my throat hurt, but my new stove doesn’t have this problem. We also use much less wood now.”

Ana Maria finishes by sharing what it was like to have volunteers support her family: “It was such a help, such a support. They helped build the stove. It was lovely to have them; they spent time with us and were very funny. May God bless you all, and we wish you a Merry Christmas!”

Esvin and three of his brothers are living in their new Habitat home. He is 21 years old and works at a tailor’s shop making clothes. Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to build his home, Esvin used to live with his parents and siblings in a small house. Then, he decided to start looking for a place of his own.

He found out about Habitat through his brother that also has a house with us, and decided it was time to get a home of his own and to share it with his other brothers. “As a child I always dreamt of having my own house. Now, it is a reality because of the support of Habitat,” says Esvin.

Esvin reflects on his house: “I feel really happy with my house, thanks to God and the support of Habitat,” he continues, “I would like to paint it and add a big garden. I like sleeping in my own room. Here, there is no noise of my niece and nephew (pictured below).”

“We had a really good time building with the volunteers, they had a lot of energy and worked really hard,” he says. “Thank you very much for your help,  we were able to build it even faster and now it is really pretty. I may not have enough money to pay you back, but I am forever grateful to you.”