Across Mimia Cuc Tzep’s yard stands a crumbling adobe structure. The foundation is filled with holes and bordered by splintered wooden timbers. There are no window panes, and the roof is in disrepair. “It is an ancient, 20-year-old house. There was no electricity or running water. The roof was bad. There were leaks. When it rained, we suffered. There was so much need for a new house.”

Mimia (42) explains the house’s history in K’iche’, an indigenous language spoken throughout the area. Both she and her brother, Diego, were determined to improve their conditions. Through a local committee, they discovered Habitat for Humanity Guatemala. “They said to him that Habitat Guatemala helps build housing solutions with people like us. If we wanted to build, we could.”

Together, they made sure to gather the materials they needed. “It took two months to arrange all of the paperwork.  We worked hard for that paperwork, because we knew the need that we faced.”

Since moving into their new home, both Mimia and Diego’s lives have changed. Mimia is especially content at having a space to call her own. “It’s more calm, because it’s bigger. There are more possibilities here, more time do more things.”A spotted cat without a name winds between ankles, soft mews fluttering with each flick of her tail. Mimia tosses the cat a piece of bread, which is gobbled voraciously. “Even the cat is happy!” she exclaims delightedly.

When asked about the group that came to provide volunteer support, Mimia gushes. “We give them so much thanks, to them and God. I have said that He sent brothers to support my family and me.” Her message to them? “Thank you for your support. We always think of you. You are always welcome, and we are grateful for the support you gave our family.”

Both have thought about future plans for the house. Expansion is in the works, although they want to pay off the loan from the current house.  Mimia makes a request for the same group that came to help her build her new house.  “If we ever build again, I want you to come build with me!”

“We lived in a house over there.” In the early afternoon sunlight, Leidy (21) balances her nine-month-old son, Denis, on her hip. She points across the plots of land and fields in a house tucked on the far side under a grove of trees. “We were there for four years, living with my in-laws. There were really no problems with the house, but there were three families under the same roof.”

With cramped quarters and little privacy, Leidy dreamed of something of her own. With her two young sons, Denis and Dilan, growing quickly, she and her husband, Federico, made the decision to build a new home. Her husband contacted Habitat for Humanity Guatemala, and not long after, a group of volunteers came to help build her house.

“The group was hardworking and very friendly,” Leidy remembers. “We hope that they are well, and we thank them for helping us with the house.”

Leidy notes several changes to the house and her routine. “It’s more beautiful to live alone. There’s more privacy that way. We feel happy. There’s more space, it’s more calm here, and there are no longer any conflicts. You have your own routine.” While her husband works as a police officer in Sanarate, Leidy takes care of the house and children. However, she has help if she needs it. Her children are within walking distance of their grandparents’ house.

Living in her new space has afforded Leidy independence and flexibility that she never had before. One aspect that she loves about her new home is the freedom to make changes where she wishes. Over the past few months, she has incrementally added finishing touches.  A line of potted plants lines the balcony. A multicolored hammock sways gently in the breeze. “I’ve been looking to buy a few more things. The children have more space to play, and they can see their grandparents whenever they would like,” she says.

The new house has also allowed their family to add a new member. Zipping between Leidy’s ankles, a small brown puppy named Cachorrito trips on his own feet while attempting to nibble her shoelaces. Denis claps in delight at the scene. There is no doubt that the family will be able to successfully grow with their home.

On a typical Tuesday morning, you can find Marcedonio Xitimu Alvarado (31) surrounded by cucumbers. Every day, he and his dog, Oso, tend to his fields under the hot Rabinal sun, ensuring that each plant is weeded and watered. From watching his movements, it is difficult to believe that the current life he leads is completely different from his previous one.

“We had bought this land, and we said to ourselves, ‘what are we going to use this for?’” Marcedonio explains. “Then, we somehow picked up a cow, and now, we’re here.”  Under the cool awning of his Habitat Guatemala house, he wipes the soil from his hands and forearms, his face shadowed by a faded baseball cap. When he looks up, a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.

One day, while surveying their land, Marcedonio and his wife, María (31), saw an opportunity unfold before them. The couple decided to move to that same space of land, electing not only to build a house, but to transform the landscape. Their goal? To teach their two children, Jovanny (9) and María (6), the importance of being outdoors. “We want them to grow up in nature,” remarks María. Aside from their home, there are no neighbors nor paved roads in sight.

“Before, we lived in Zone 2, which is about ten or fifteen minutes away from here,” remembers Marcedonio. “It was my in-laws’ house, and we were there for about nine years. It wasn’t too crowded, but the house wasn’t in the best shape. And the city was congested.”

In a time where Guatemala is undergoing rapid-fire social and economic changes, Marcedonio and María have decided to return to agriculture. Their move is an experiment in self sustenance and environmental sustainability. Although they both have other jobs (Marcedonio works in security and María sells shoes), their family is committed to developing and transforming their lives. María comments, “Although  it is hard work, and it takes us more time to get places, we are content where we are.”

Most importantly, both the home and farm have become their space of solace and contentment. “The area and environment is more beautiful, and here, our neighbors are birds. It’s a lot more private,” says María. Their fledgling farm is thriving. In three months, the couple plans to sell their cucumber and corn crop at the market in Rabinal. “Little by little, we have made this space feel like ours. There were no plants here when we started. Now, it is full of life,” says Marcedonio.

Steadily, Marcedonio and María continue to work on their home. In the next year, they hope to implement solar panels to save money on electricity. They are also investigating creative ways to install running water. However, they are happy with the journey so far and recollect upon the past with enthusiasm, especially regarding the group of volunteers that assisted with the construction of their home.