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.

Blanca, a single mother of three boys, is now living in their new house in the Luis Samayoa Housing Community with her three boys, Cristian (26), René (24), Diego (16). Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, Blanca and her family rented a house for more than 16 years.

They learned about our work from a friend who owns a Habitat home. After confirming that they met the requirements, they started with the construction of a house of their own! “Since they started with this community it was my dream to have a house here. Now it is a reality”, says Blanca.

Blanca explains how they feel with their new house: “I feel very very happy, and my sons too! They have their own space to plant different fruit trees”.

Blanca sells tortillas in her backyard, so she is always busy! They are planning to fence in the back of the house and add another room in the future.

About the volunteers she recalls: “I have great memories with them, we had such good experiences with all of them. I am very grateful for their support”, she continues: “We will always remember all of you! Greetings to everybody, this house was built with your love”.

Wendy and her family live in their new Habitat home in the Luis Samayoa Housing Communtiny, Usumatlán, Zacapa. Wendy lives with her three years old José Pablo and her husband Jorge, who works as a local merchant.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala the López family was living in Guatemala City with her in-laws, and traveled during the weekends to her parent’s house, were they shared a small room.

They learned about Habitat Guatemala from different people in their neighborhood, “I used to hear about Habitat and all the work that they were doing building houses and I wished to have one house for our own for a long time, until we finally made it true,” says Wendy.

“I feel very happy, it is our gift to our baby when he grows up.”  says Wendy about how she feels about her home. The family is planning to paint the house, add tiles and an iron gate in the future. They are also planning to have another baby!

Regarding her experience with the volunteers she says, “I was amazed with all the hard work they did. I am very grateful with them, thank you all for your support. I invite you to keep on helping”. She continues, “nowadays it is not easy to have your own house. You being part of this dream come true is a blessing.”

Ana lives with her husband Rigoberto, their son Santiago,  Ana’s sister Evelyn and her niece Génesis in their new Habitat home in the Luis Samayoa Housing Community, in Usumatlán, Zacapa. While her husband works as a mason and her sister works in her own store, Ana takes care of the children and the house.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, Ana and her family lived with her mother in law and then rented for two years.  The need of having their own space to be a family made them decide it was time to gain their independence.  “When you are renting you have to pay and pay but you know that it is not going to be yours. Now, we know that we are paying for something that belongs to us,” says Ana.

Ana explains how they feel because of their new house: “I feel happy, calm and safe”, she continues; “our kids like to play around the house we also go out in the front street to play. “There is no place like home!”

When asked about the construction and celebration with the Global Village volunteers, Ana remarks: “The volunteers were really nice, they worked really hard and played with our kids. Thank you very much for all your support. We miss you here and hope to see you all soon!”