Christian (27), his wife Claudia (26) and their son Zedd Alessio (4), are living in their new Habitat home in Cerro de Oro, Santiago Atitlán, Sololá.  Christian works as a mason, while Claudia stays home and weaves traditional clothing.

The family used to live at a one-room house built from corn stalk, wood and dirt flooring. “Our old house was in poor condition. It was cold and the water leaked in when it rained.” mentions Christian.

With the support of Hope and Healing, Habitat Canada, ADISA and Habitat Guatemala, the family received a new home, a smokeless stove, a bathroom and a water filter. These simple solutions are providing this family with  safe, smoke-free home with access to proper sanitation. The family was happy and motivated to be part of this project that would help improve their quality of life.

When asked how they feel with their new house, the family responds, ”This house is a blessing for us. We want to give thanks to everyone involved.  We are no longer feel cold in our house, the water no longer comes in.” Claudia adds, “The house is so pretty and clean. Everything is perfect.”

Regarding their stove, Claudia shares that she used to cook over an open flame on the floor, causing respiratory diseases and red eyes. With their new stove, she no longer has to lay on her knees to cook and does not have to endure the smoke. They are saving money as the stove consumes less wood.

They like their new bathroom reporting, “Now, it is more comfortable and we no longer have to share it with our large family.” The family is happy with the water filter as it is safe, easy to use and prevents diseases. Before they boiled water or drank it directly form the sink, causing diarrheal diseases, significantly impacting Zedd.

Zedd attends ADISA’s Special Education School at Cerro de Oro. “At school, they teach Zedd how to draw, write and play so that he can develop his abilities and to learn to talk,” says Claudia. As young parents, both Christian and Claudia are fighting to provide Zedd, and other children with disabilities, with a better future. They feel happy to have have supportive families and neighbors.

What the family enjoys most about their new home is that Claudia can now enjoy cooking, they can spend time together where they can play with Zedd in a safe environment. “I can now come back from work, directly to a comfortable space to play with mi patojo (mi kid),” says Christian.

They want to share the following message with our donors, “Receive our gratitude! Thank you for making our dream a reality. We are very happy with our house, and we are grateful for people like you, who help others.”

Doña Isabel (67) lives with her husband Santiago (65) and Isabel’s mother in  the community of Sacchim, San Sebastian, Department of Huehuetenango. Don Pablo works in the fields, while Isabel stays home and weaves traditional clothes.

With the support of Home for a Home and Habitat Guatemala, the Gregorio family received an extra room, a smokeless stove and a sanitary latrine. This helps them improve their living conditions by giving them more room to sleep, an adequate access to proper sanitation and a smokeless 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.

Before receiving their housing solutions the family occupied one room that was used to sleep and cook using an open fire pit. The construction was made from adobe bricks, a dirt floor and metal corrugated sheets as the roof. “We feel better with our new room because it is warmer. We no longer suffer from the cold.”

Regarding their old stove, Isabel shares: “The old stove was in poor conditions, making my eyes red. The new stove is working fine! We no longer use much wood and the smoke goes outside.”  The family reported an improvement with their new latrine too as their old one was in poor condition and had been in use for over 15 years.

Isabel finishes by sharing a message to our donors: “Thank you to everyone who has supported us! Receive our greetings. During these difficult times, there are not many people who are so generous. We appreciate their kind gensture.”

María (43) is a single mother of five children, Marco (16), Magda (17), Modesto (14), Alex (11) and Marisol (2) living in the community of Chelam, San Sebastian, Department of Huehuetenango.

With the support of Home for a Home and Habitat Guatemala, the Gregorio family received an extra room, a smokeless stove, and a sanitary latrine. This helps them improve their living conditions by giving them a sleeping quarter,  proper sanitation and a smokeless free environment.

Before receiving their housing solutions, the family lived in a small room made from adobe brick walls, a dirt floor and metal corrugated sheet roofing. Next to the room they built a kitchen from nylon and cooked on open fire. “Our living conditions are much different now. My children and I no longer feel cold and the rain does not leak in our new room.”

Regarding their old stove, María shares: “I used to cook over an open flame. We consumed a lot of wood and the smoke made me feel sick. The new one is different as it uses less wood. We are able to cook all our meals at the same time and there is no more smoke inside!” Doña María explains that their old latrine was in poor conditions. “Now that we have a new latrine, we feel content and safe!”

María says to the donors: “Greetings to you all. We are thankful for your support.”

Marcos (38) lives with his wife María (36) and their five children Ermelinda (16), Ana (14), Ingrid (12), Eduardo (8), and Mynor (6) in the community of Sacchim, San Sebastian, Departament of Huehuetenango. The entire family dedicates themselves to sewing traditional clothing.

With the support of Home for a Home and Habitat for Humanity Guatemala, Teresa’s family was provided with concrete flooring in the kitchen . When the family found out about this project, they were happy to participate as they found it was a great opportunity to improve their quality of life.

In regards to their previous floor Marcos reports, “We had been living with dirt flooring for over 16 years. It was very difficult the house became very dusty and muddy when it rained.” When asked how he feels about their new concrete floor, Marcos answers: “We are happy! It is better now for our health!”

Marcos finishes by sharing a message to the donors: “Greetings to all of you. Thank you for supporting us with our new concrete floor. We are very happy with it. Thank you!”