#Myhabitatexperience – Vanessa Brombosz

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Hi everyone. My name is Vanessa and I am the new Director of International Relations Development here at Habitat Guatemala.  I am originally from Montreal, Canada. I worked for over 5 years as an occupational therapist specializing in orthopedic rehabilitation and dementia care. After traveling/volunteering throughout South and Central America for 2 years, I gained an appreciation for working in multi-cultural environments.  I wanted to begin affecting change at a population level so I returned to McGill University where I completed a Master’s of Science in Public Health. Upon graduation, I moved to Xela in 2016 where I worked for a US-based organization that supported local health authorities in Guatemala, Belize, Thailand and West Virginia USA with community health initiatives. I am passionate about working with people and volunteers who, like me, want to address disparities and help improve the quality of life for people living in vulnerable situations.

Why Habitat Guatemala?

It is very important for me to work with an experienced organization whose mission is to improve the lives of Guatemalans. What I appreciate the most about Habitat Guatemala is that they have over 40 years of experience and provide national coverage to ensure that they can reach as many Guatemalans as possible. Additionally, Habitat Guatemala creates innovative housing and WASH solutions that help improve the lives of Guatemalans nation-wide.

What do you like the most about your position?

I get to be an advocate for the needs of our communities. Our success in building and fostering strong relationships with our donors and partners directly impacts the lives of people who live in poverty and extreme poverty. Our donors provide our team with opportunities to develop innovative household and community solutions that directly addresses the needs of the community and improves the quality of life of people living in precarious situations. Habitat Guatemala staff are passionate and dedicated to the Habitat mission, making the work environment dynamic and motivating. I am happy and proud to be part of the Habitat family.

A message to the donors and volunteers

I look forward to strengthening our partnerships and meeting with all our donors and volunteers. On behalf of the Habitat Guatemala team, thank you for your collaboration and continued support towards improving the quality of life of Guatemalan families.

The Mynor Hernández Family

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Mynor (38),  his wife, Vilma (33), and their daughters Madeline (12), and Nataly (11) are now living in their new Habitat home in San Juan Tolimán, Sololá. Mynor works as a mason, while Vilma works at a restaurant and the girls are studying from home.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, the family used to live at Mynor’s parents house. “When we got married, my father welcomed us at their house, we had two rooms, but we did not have enough space for all of us and our stuff. Later on, we had the opportunity to purchase this piece of land and started to look for options to build our own house, but they were really expensive,” Mynor explains, “We remembered that we grew up on a Habitat home, built over 30 years ago! So, after doing some research, we decided Habitat was the best option for our family to build our home.” Mynor was the mason in charge of building his own house, that is why it adds a special value for him and his family. “This house is well built, with the right materials and with my sweat too.”

When asked how they feel with their new home, Mynor smiles and responds, “We feel great! we feel more comfortable now, we have our own space, we breath on a different place! each of us has its own room, we feel blessed. Now, we have the opportunity of having our own house,” he continues, “we are still paying for it, but soon it will be ours 100%. It feels like a dream come true, to have our house thanks to Habitat!”

Regarding to COVID-19 pandemic, Mynor mentions, “Regarding to that, we feel grateful to God for having this house, and our space.” he continues, “ besides everything that has happen, the girls have enough space to take their classes and make their homework. In the old house, we only had one table to share, and it was not enough for them.”

When asked about the time shared with the volunteers the family recalls, “They were such hardworkers! we were surprised to see how strong they were, this piece of land was very hard to dig, and they worked hard! despite the heat and difficulties,” says Mynor.

He finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers: “Receive our greetings! thank you very much for your hard work, thank you for coming to help us build our home! From the bottom of my heart I wish that you can come again and visit our home! feel welcome to visit us.  Thanks again for working for this cause. May God bless you.”

 

Healthy Home Kit – Rosa Morales – Erika Nossokoff

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Doña Rosa (60) lives with her husband, Juan, and five of her daugters Ingrid, Dalia, Glenda, Maritza, Eudalia, in the community of San Andrés Semetabaj, near Lake Atitlán, in the departament of Sololá. Rosa dedicates to sell natural medicine to people in her community while her husband works in agriculture.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s Healthy Home Kit, families receive a smokeless stove, a sanitary latrine and a water filter. This helps 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.

“I used to cook over an old stove that was in poor conditions. 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. I can also warm water to shower. We feel content with it!” says doña Rosa.

Before receiving their new latrine, doña Rosa explains that the old one was also in poor conditions. “Now that we have a new latrine, we feel happy and safe, we built the adobe blocks and now it is pretty!” says Rosa. Things are going great with their water filter too. Now, they can drink potable water and not get sick, specially because they are a big family, there is plenty for everyone to drink safe water.

Rosa refers 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.”

Healthy Home Kit – Elba Pérez – Erika Nossokoff

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Elba (41) lives with her husband, Jorge (46) , and their four children, Alvaro (23), Fredy (22), Cristian  (21), and Rodman (18) in San Andrés Semetabaj, Sololá. While Jorge and the children work in agriculture, Elba stays home and also waves traditional clothes for extra income.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s Healthy Home Kit, families receive a smokeless stove, a sanitary latrine and a water filter, to help them improve their health by giving them adequate access to proper sanitation, potable water and a smoke free environment.

“I used to cook on an older stove with open flame that was broken for more than 10 years, causing me and my family to suffer from respiratory diseases.” She continues, “The new one is very pretty and working great!  Now, there is no smoke inside our kitchen, it has plenty of space to cook all my meals at once, and we save wood at the same time! Elba has felt a difference in their health; no more eye irritation and respiratory diseases because the smoke no longer stays inside the kitchen.

Before receiving their new latrine, she explains that their old latrine was in poor conditions, “Now, it is more comfortable and pretty. ” The family has also felt a difference with their water filter. Before they had to boil it, and sometimes drank it directly form the sink, causing them pain from intestinal diseases. Now, it is easier and safer to drink potable water from the filter. “With the filter the water stays fresh and tastes good, when the boys come back from work, the first thing they do is come and drink a big glass of water” says Elba.

Elba refers to her time with the volunteers; “We felt happy the day they all came, we worked together and ate together too. They were hard workers.  Here at the backyard was our goodbye ceremony, ” she continues, “Thanks to God and all of you for your support, thank you for coming to build with us. May God bless you and keep you safe.”

 

 

Healthy Home Kit – Estilia de León – Willie Nemeth

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Doña Estilia (60) lives with her husband, Maleno (68), and her uncle, Valerio, in the community of San Andrés Semetabaj, near Lake Atitlán, Sololá. While Maleno works in agriculture, Estilia weaves traditional clothes from home.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s Healthy Home Kit, families receive a smokeless stove, a sanitary latrine and a water filter, to help them improve their health by giving them adequate access to proper sanitation, potable water and a smoke free environment.

“I used to cook over an old stove that was in poor conditions, before that I did not have any stove, I cooked over an open flame on the floor. With the new one I feel content, we have been able to save wood too. It is better because I can cook everything at once, my tortillas, coffee, beans!” Estilia has felt a difference in her health; no more eye irritation because the smoke no longer stays inside the kitchen.

Before receiving their new latrine, she explains that their old latrine was very old and in poor conditions “I can not remember for how long we had been using the old latrine, maybe 10 – 15 years, it was covered with wood sticks. Now, the new one is pretty good, comfortable and private.” The family has also felt a difference with their water filter. Before they drank water directly from the sink, causing them intestinal diseases. Now, it is easier and safer to drink potable water from the filter. “The water from the filter tastes better, and we can drink it whenever we want,” says Estilia.

Estilia refers to her time with the volunteers; “It was an excellent day! in the group everybody work the same as hard! We were very happy to receive them,” she continues, “Maltiox! (thank you) to all of the volunteers for their support. Receive our greetings and may God bless you.”

Opportunities

National Office

Avenida Las Américas, 9-50, zona 3,
Edificio Supercom Delco, 3er. nivel, Oficina 3,
Quetzaltenango, Quetzaltenango.
+502 7931-3131
donor@habitaguate.org

Global Village Office

Carretera a San Bartolomé Becerra casa #6,
Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez.
+502 7832-4436 / +502 7832-4572
guategv@habitaguate.org

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