Doña Simona lives with her husband Agapito, in a small community in the department of Chimaltenango. Simona takes care of the home, while Agapito works in the field.

Before partnering up with Habitat Guatemala to receive a Smokeless Stove, Simona used to cook over an open flame on the floor called “pollo”. “With the old stove, we consumed much wood and it was uncomfortable,” says Agapito. It caused her and Juan different respiratory diseases and red eyes because of the smoke.

Simón feels really happy with her new stove; “I feel happy. I only have to worry about flipping my tortillas now, I used to burn my hands a lot before, now I don’t burn myself anymore,” she continues, “We save wood too! We do not need to buy it so often, and the smoke stays outside.”

About the day of construction, Agapito recalls; “We had a good time with all of them.” They finish by sharing a message to the volunteers: “First I want to thank God, and then to all of the volunteers that supported us. We are very grateful, not everyone just comes and give you this kind of gifts, thank you!” – Agapito.

María lives with her husband, Aurelio, and their son, Justin, (2), in a small community in Chimaltenango. While Aurelio works in the fields, María takes care of and the household chores, and weaves traditional clothes for an extra income.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s smokeless stove program, families receive a stove, to help them improve their health by giving them a smoke free environment.

María explains; “I used to cook on an old stove with open flame that I built myself.  Causing me respiratory diseases and burns in my arms. It consumed so much wood too.” When she found out about the project through a relative, she did not think twice, and signed up!

She feels satisfied with her new stove; “ I feel content with it! I can cook all my meals at the same time, it is really big and the best is that is saves wood, I have been using only half of what I used to.”

María refers to her time with the volunteers; “It was fun, I was not able to chat much with them, but they worked hard,” she continues, “I am very grateful to all of you, because of your support I now have a pretty stove.”

Mariela lives in Chimaltenango with her husband, José Sergio, and their daughter, Alisson (1). Thanks to the support of Thrivent Builds, her family received a Habitat smokeless stove so that she can cook in a healthier environment.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive her smokeless stove, Mariela used to cook over and open fire on the floor. Causing them respiratory diseases and burns, because they sleep in the same room, where they cook.

When asked how she feels with her new smokeless stove, María responds, “I feel very happy with my new stove! It is working great,” she continues, “We can save wood and the best part is that the smoke no longer stays inside. The family supports their livelihood by working in the fields. Mariela weaves traditional clothes for an additional income.

Regarding their time spent with the volunteers, Mariela shares, “We enjoyed our day together, they worked hard and were funny.”  She finishes by sending a message to the volunteers: “Thank you all for your support in building our stove, we are looking forward to seeing you again.”

Mirna, her husband, Benedicto, and her three children, Olga (29) Mirna (27), and Omar “Chino” (24), are now living in their new Habitat home in Sacatepéquez. Both Benedicto and María work as guardians in different places. Olga is studying to be a psychologist in the university and works as a teacher. Mirna is currently working in a Coffee shop and she is planning to open her own in the future.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the family used to live in a house that is located in the school where Mirna has been working for over 17 years. “The old house only had two rooms, we used one for kitchen and the other one for our bedroom. All of us were sleeping in the same room, sharing beds, with not enough space for everybody,” she continues, “We found out about Habitat through a friend, and after doing some research, we applied and the next week, they called to say we were approved,” she says.

When asked how they feel with their new home, Mirna answers, “I feel happy, happy to have a space to call our own now. It is not the same to be in your own home, to do what you want, when you want to do so. ”Mirna says that what they enjoy the most in their new home is “silence”, they love to listen to the birds together, “the weather and tranquility, that is the better part of living here,” says Mirna, while Chino is dancing in the other room.

When asked about the time shared with the volunteers Mirna recalls, “All of the volunteers were really kind, it was a great week. They worked hard!”

“May each and one of you receive our greetings! Feel welcome to come to our home anytime you want,” she continues,” Thank you all for your support.”