January 2021 – Hábitat para la Humanidad Guatemala

Healthy Home Kit – Gregoria Saquic – Polly Knudsen

22 January, 2021/in Meet our families, News /by profiles

Gregoria (60) lives with her 4 children, Brigida (36), Antonieta (21), José (18) and Elisa (17), in the community of Santa Lucía Utatlán, near Lake Atitlán, in the departament of Sololá. Brigida works as a vendor, Antonieta at a bakery. José and Elisa are going to school while Gregoria stays home and takes care of the chores.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s Healthy Home Kit, families receive a smokeless stove, a sanitary latrine and a water filter. Thishelps them improve their health by giving them adequate access to proper sanitation, potable water and a smoke free environment. When the family found out about this project, they knew it was a great opportunity to improve their family’s quality of life.

“We used to cook on an older stove for more than 30 years, it was in poor condition. It consumed much more wood, which cost more money too. The new one is different, it only uses half the amount of wood as the old one. We are able to cook all our meals at the same time. We feel content with it!” says Brigida.

Before receiving their new latrine, the family explains that the old one was also in poor condition. “Now that we have a new latrine, we feel happy and safe, especially all our nephews who also use it” says Brigida. Things are going great with their water filter too. Now, they can drink potable water and not get sick.

Gregoria and Brigida refer to their time with the volunteers by explaining, “We had a great day! The volunteers worked really hard as a team. It was all quite an experience to build the adobe blocks and share with them,” she continues; “Receive our greetings and may God bless you! Thank you all for your support. These products have served us greatly.”

Healthy Home Kit – Isabel Yac – Polly Knudsen

22 January, 2021/in Meet our families, News /by profiles

Doña Isabel lives with two of her daugthers and a grandchild, in the community of Santa Lucía Utatlán, in the department of Sololá.

Before partnering up with Habitat Guatemala to receive a Smokeless Stove, Isabel and Jessica, used to cook over an open flame on the floor called a “poyo.” “I cooked over a poyo for 63 years! It was very hard to cook in it, the smoke made us feel sick and gave us red eyes,” says Isabel.

They are really happy with their new stove; “It feels much better to cook with the new one now! We use less wood to cook. Now we do not have to go get wood so often,” says Isabel.

Before receiving their new latrine, Jessica explains that the old one was old and in poor condition. “The new one feels more private and comfortable, it is easy to clean. It is much easier for my mom that recently had a surgery, to use ” says Jessica. The family has also felt a difference with their water filter. Before they drank water directly from the sink, causing them intestinal distress. Now, it is easier and safer to drink potable water from the filter,” Jessica mentions.

About the day of construction, they recall; “We had a good time with all the volunteers. It was a fun day.” They finish by sharing a message to the volunteers: “We thank all of you for supporting us with this kit. We hope God blesses you and keeps you safe in your daily activities. Thanks for your efforts in providing us with these items.” – Isabel and Jessica.

Martina Sicajau Tiu – Open Team – Polly Knudsen

22 January, 2021/in Meet our families /by profiles

Don Mariano (55) and his wife, Martina (47), are the new proud owners of a Habitat Home! They live with two of their children, Odilia (11), and Roberto (23), his wife, Julia (23), and baby Josselyn. Mariano works in agriculture. Roberto works in a different department, Petén, while the ladies stay at home.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to build their home, the family used to live in the house in front of the new one, which now works as the kitchen. It was built out of adobe blocks and dirt floor. “Before, we were seven people sleeping in just one room, we lived like this for almost 23 years,” says Martina. She was a part of Habitat Guatemala Smokeless Stove Program, and one of the local affiliate promoters told them about the possibility of building a safer house. They were very interested, but at that time, they did not have enough money. Three years later, they decided it was time to build a new home for their own! They decided to visit the office in Panajachel, and even though they did not know much about the city, they found it, and started with the process.

When we asked how they feel in their new home, Martina smiles and responds, “We are thrilled and grateful with our new home! From the beginning, the Habitat staff provided us with all the information and accompanied us during the entire process. Now, it is completely different to have our home built with cement floor and nice walls, it is a big improvement for us as a family.” What the family enjoy the most about being at home is, “…We love all the house, we love the design, our rooms, everything!”

Regarding to COVID-19 pandemic, Martina mentions, “This pandemic has hit us hard in the economic way, our son, Roberto is working at Petén. It has been five months that he has not had been able to come visit us, and see her daughter grow up, because it is hard to pay for the transportation.” Regarding to studies, Odilia has been studying from home, but it has been hard for Martina, because of her limited education. Odilia might need to repeat her school year, because it can be a better way of her to learn better. But having the house, has prevent them from getting sick, and they also have a comfortable space to stay and spend time together.

About the time shared with the volunteers Martina recalls, “They were wonderful people, we really enjoyed spending time with them and build our house together! We missed them so much when they left. They are now part of our family.”

She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers, “We are grateful and moved to get to know people from abroad that came to help us even more that people from our own country! To know that you left your family and friends to build with us and to work that hard, it is really admirable! We miss you all so much, and we wish that all of you are doing fine. We keep all the photos you left us as a great memory. May God bless you! Maltiox.”

Santa Cecilia Paniagua – HFH Asheville – Joel Johnson

14 January, 2021/in Meet our families, News /by profiles

Santa Cecilia (30), lives with her husband, Edgar (31), and their 6 children, Ana Cecilia (12), Edgar (10), Santa Teresa (8), Reina (6), Andrea (4), and Rosa Adriana (2) in a small community in Chimaltenango. While Edgar works in the fields, Santa Cecilia takes care of the children and the household chores.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s smokeless stove program, families receive a stove that helps them improve their health and living conditions. Families are also required to get involved in the construction process and the collection of some local materials.

Santa Cecilia explains; “I used to cook over an open flame, on a small stove that I built myself. I cooked on it for over ten years, and all the smoke stayed inside our kitchen, causing me and the children many respiratory diseases, and red eyes.” She learned about the program through a local committee member, and did not hesitate to sign up!

“We were very exited and happy to be a part of this project, because we could not afford a stove like this. My husband built the adobe blocks and we also helped him,” says Santa Cecilia.

She feels satisfied with her new stove; “I feel very happy, my girls enjoy to prepare tortillas with me! we have fun cooking together,” she continues,”We now use much less wood. With three pieces of wood, I can prepare our tortillas, atol and beans at the same time. Even our “nixtamal” takes less wood to get prepared.”

Santa Cecilia refers to their time with the volunteers; “It was a very special day for us, we enjoyed having them here. We still have the picture we took together,” she continues, “Thanks to all of you! Our family is very grateful for you and your support.”

María Jacobo – HFH Asheville – Joel Johnson

14 January, 2021/in Meet our families, News /by profiles

Doña María lives with her husband, and some of their children, in a small community in the department of Chimaltenango. Maria takes care of the home, and many of their children while her husband works in the field.

Before partnering up with Habitat Guatemala to receive a Smokeless Stove, María used to cook over an open flame on the floor called “poyo.” “I was very hard to cook with the old stove. There was always a lot of smoke inside our kitchen, and it made our eyes and throat uncomfortable. I cooked on a pollo for over 33 years,” says María.

She feels really happy with her new stove; “I feel happy with the new stove! I am grateful to Habitat and God for giving me this stove.” She continues, “we built our adobe blocks and prepared everything to have it ready. Now it is a benefit for all our family, specially for me, because I do not burn myself anymore, and the smoke stays outside my kitchen.” María shares that they also save a lot of wood, and they do not have to buy it very often.

About the day of construction, María recalls; “We had a good time with all of them.” She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers: “We thank all of the donors and volunteers for supporting us. Even though we can not see you, we hope God bless you and keep you safe in your daily activities. Thanks for your efforts in providing us with this new stove.” – María.

Cristina Cuc – HFH Asheville – Joel Johnson

14 January, 2021/in Meet our families /by profiles

Cristina (28), lives with her husband, Pedro (33), and their 3 children, Sandra (8), Carlos (4), and Liliana (1), in a small community in Chimaltenango. While Pedro works in the fields, Cristina takes care of the children and the household chores.

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.

Cristina explains; “I used to cook over an open flame, a “poyo”, for over 7 years, causing me red eyes and several burns in my hands.” When she found out about the project through a local committee member, she did not think it twice, and signed up to the program!

She feels satisfied with her new stove; “I feel very happy with my stove, I enjoy to prepare my tortillas and beans on it. We also save a lot of wood.”

Cristina refers to her time with the volunteers; “It was a fun day, they worked really hard and carried all the materials to build it.” She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers: “Thank you for all your support! We feel grateful for our stove.”

Rudy Boror – HFH Asheville – Joel Johnson

13 January, 2021/in Meet our families /by profiles

Rudy (31) and his wife, Kimberly (32), are the happy owners of a new Habitat home in San Lucas Sacatepéquez. Rudy works in a spare parts store and Kimberly in the public health sector.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to build their home, the couple used to live with Kimberly’s mom, “It was a project that we had before getting married, we did some research in other places but, it was beyond our budget,” says Kimberly. The couple found out about Habitat through facebook and a coworker that is also an owner of a Habitat home. After doing some research they decided it was time to invest in a place for their own!

When we asked how they feel in their new home, Kimberly smiles and responds, “We feel calm and at peace. The space is much more comfortable too,” she continues, “now, we have our own space as a couple, and we can decide at what time we need to get up, or have our meals. It has been of great improvement for our marriage.” What Kimberly and Rudy enjoy the most about being at home is, “…to hang out here during the weekends, we clean, we cook together, this is our space and we enjoy it.”

Regarding to COVID-19 pandemic, Kimberly mentions, “This quarantine time has helped us to get to know each other better. We had small different projects for our home too, the garden was one of them. Rudy enjoys to work with wood, so he made some furniture.”

About the time shared with the volunteers Kimberly recalls, “They were all hard workers! We made a lot of progress with the construction process thanks to their help. They welcomed us with a big smile every time we came!”

She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers, “Thank you, may all of you receive our gratitude! You are also a part of this home, I hope you are well and safe.”

Moisés Ajcalón Morales Family – Hybrid House Program

7 January, 2021/in Meet our families, News, News EN /by profiles

Moisés (30), his wife, María (29) and their two children, Julissa (5), and Esdras (2), are the proud owners of a new Hybrid House, in the municipality of los Tablones, San José Chacayá, Sololá. Moisés works as a security guard and María takes care of the children and also weaves traditional clothes.

Moisés and his family are part of our new Hybrid House Program, which is a two room home built with a mix of traditional materials: adobe blocks, cement blocks, and wood.

Quick facts about the new Hybrid Home:

1. At just $3,300 USD, it costs less than half the price of a standard HFHG home.

2. The home is partially subsidized, acknowledging that the population we are serving does not have access to an income that would allow them to pay a mortgage. The family contributes sweat equity, creating the adobe blocks as well as participating in the construction of their new home.

3. The structure can be built in a time frame of approximately a two weeks.

4. This is a new effort to support the sector of the population that is living in the poorest conditions.

As previously explained, this solution is partially subsidized which means that beneficiary families are asked to contribute towards the cost of materials, provide unskilled labor such as preparing the adobe blocks, among other tasks.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, Moisés mentioned that he and his family used to live in a house built out of metal sheets and a dirt floor. They lived this way for three years, and prior to that, they lived with his parents where they shared the house with seven other relatives. “The problem with our house that was built out of metal sheets, was that during the day we felt really hot and during the night it got much cooler,” says Moisés.

One day, Moisés received a visit from Habitat staff. He showed them his house and the way that they were living. The staff explained the program and that he was selected as one of the beneficiaries. “We are grateful, grateful to God too, because he put Habitat in our path, to help us,” Moisés mentions.

When asked how they feel with their new home, Moisés answers, “We feel happy and grateful for our house. We like all of it! Our children feel happy to play in here. We now have a place for them, to keep them warm and safe.” In the future, the family is planning to add a garden.

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Moisés mentions, “These times have been complicated, we have had lack of work and other things, but having our house has made us feel safer. We have one thing less to worry about now, because this house is well built, we do not have to worry about the rain, cold or sun. Our floor is no longer made of dirt.”

Moisés finishes by sharing a message to the donors, “We are grateful to all of the donors that supported us in building our home! We may not know you, but we thank you! May God bless you. Be safe and receive many blessings in your work and to your families.”