Emiliana is a single mother living with her six children, Ana (24), María (21), Verónica (20), Joselyn (18), David (16), Vilma (13), and her grandchildren Nelson (2), in their new Habitat home in San Juan Ostuncalco, Quetzaltenango. Emiliana works as a housekeeper, and also sells fresh cow milk around town every morning.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to build her home, Emiliana and her family lived in an adobe house for 23 years; it was in poor conditions. “All of us shared only one room, we all slept together, the ceiling leaked when it rained and we suffered from colds.” Emiliana learned about Habitat through her employer, who also has a Habitat house. After doing some research and speaking with all of her children, they decided to invest in a better future together.

When asked how she feels with her new home, Emiliana smiles and responds, “I feel happy! Very very happy, in my Habitat home! It is all I wanted; a safe and comfortable space to sleep and to rest in peace. Everyone has their own bed, their own space.” She continues, “Thanks to Habitat for their support and for helping me fulfill this dream.” What Emiliana and her children enjoy most about being at home is, “… being able to rest, being able to feel at peace.”

Regarding the week of construction shared with the volunteers, Emiliana shares, “They are hard workers! We advanced a lot with the construction process because of their help. We shared a lot of laughs and happy memories too.”

She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers, “Receive all our love and greetings! Thank you for your support. May God bless you.”

Ronald, his wife, Jazmín, and their two children, Ronald (4), and Liam (4 months), are now living in their new Habitat home in San Juan Ostuncalco, Quetzaltenango. Ronald works as a security guard, while María takes care of the household chores and raises their children.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, Ronald mentions that they used to live in a house that belonged to his mother, “All this land belongs to my parents, so when they distributed it we received the plot of land where we built the new house.” He continues, “This was one of the main reasons that we built our own home. The other house was given to my sister, and we had no place to live.” Ronald explains that they learned about Habitat Guatemala’s programs through one of his siblings. After doing some research, they decided it was time to invest in a space of their own.

When asked how they feel with their new home, Ronald smiles and answers, “We feel at peace! we love it here. It’s very calm. We can do whatever we want here, in our own space. Ronald can play safe and happy!”

Ronald explains that what they enjoy most as a family is, “… playing with my boys! Because of my work I am often not at home. So, when I come back, we enjoy our time together.” He continues, “Our life has changed on many levels. For example, at the old house, we did not have running water. Ronald constantly got sick because it was too cold. Now, it is completely different! We have running water, the house is comfortable and Ronald is not getting sick anymore. As I mentioned before, we feel at peace.”

When asked about the time shared with the volunteers the family recalls, “They were really kind! All of them formed a great connection with my family, especially my mom. They all played with Ronald, too!”

He finished by sharing a message to the volunteers, “Thank you all for your support! We are grateful for you and your visit. We are looking forward to seeing you in the future. Please feel welcome to come visit! You came in the moment when we needed it the most. We urgently needed to finish our home, and you made it possible.”

Kevin (27), his wife Maribel, (23), and their two girls, Scarlett (1), and Ashley (7), are the happy owners of a new Habitat home in San Juan, Quetzaltenango. Kevin works as a truck driver while Maribel takes care of the children and house chores.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, Kevin mentions that they lived for six years at his parent’s house, sharing only one room. “We found out about Habitat programs through an aunt who built a house with Habitat. Also, my grandparents have a Habitat home.” He continues, “that is why we decided to build with Habitat, to continue the family tradition, and also because my father gifted us with a piece of land to build.”

When asked how they feel with their new home, Kevin answers, “I feel content, because we know that we are paying for something that belongs to us. In the future we are planning to add a second story.” Maribel adds; “I feel happy because I have my own space, I can do what I want here. I enjoy every single part of it!” What the family enjoys the most in their new home is being able to play with their daughters, in their own space.

About the time spent with the volunteers the family recalls, “We had a fun week! The volunteers worked really hard – everyone of them.” They finish by sending a message: “Thank you all for your support! We will always cherish the memories shared. We will have you in our heart forever.”