Teresa (29) lives with her husband Gustavo (32) and their three children, Ninette (9), Kimberly (7) and Ever (2) in the community of Sacchim, San Sebastian in the departament of Huehuetenango. Gustavo works in agriculture  while Teresa takes care of the children and household chores.

With the support of Home for a Home and Habitat for Humanity Guatemala, Teresa’s family was provided with a concrete floor for the kitchen.

Teresa explains the disadvantages a a dirt floor, “It was very hard to keep it clean. There was a lot of dust and our children often got sick.” When asked, how she feels with the new concrete floor, she answers, “Good!  My children can play without getting sick and it is easy to clean!”

By receiving this concrete floor, the Gómez family has reported an improvement in their health as the  dirt floor is no longer a source of pollution inside their house.

Teresa shares a message to the donors: “To all the people involved in providing us with this solution, thank you! There are not many people like you who offer us such gifts. Thank you again!”

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.”

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.”

Celia lives with her husband, Cesar, their son, Iker (3) and 5 more relatives, in a small community near Lake Atitlán, Sololá. While César works in agriculture, Celia takes care of Iker and weaves traditional clothes.

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 in a small open-flame stove. It consumed many wood, which was very costly. I wished to have a big one, in order to cook for everyone, and the new one is bigger!! It is easier to cook because it is big and has plenty of space. enough space to cook for all my family.  And the best part is the wood. With only five small pieces of wood it cooks perfectly.”  Celia has felt a difference in their 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 in poor conditions and not near the house. “Now, the new one is more comfortable and private. It is covered with wood and no longer with plastic.” The family has also felt a difference with their water filter. Before they drank water directly from the sink, and boiled it occasionally causing them intestinal diseases. Now, it is easier and safer to drink potable water from the filter. “Now, every member of the family can drink water whenever we want, we do not have to boil it,” says Celia.

Celia refers to her time with the volunteers; “They were very fun to work with,we worked together and built our stove,” she continues, “We are grateful for your support, thank you for our kit. It has been of great help for me and our family, we are taking good care of it. Our family is happy.”