María lives with her son Federico and her sister Delfina, in the community of Pacaman, Santa Catarina Palopó, Sololá. Both María and Delfina dedicate to weave traditional clothes to sell in the markets near by.

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 open-flame for more than 15 years. The smoke was the worst thing, because it made my eyes sour, and caused me respiratory diseases.” Now, with the new one, the smoke goes outside our kitchen and we no longer consume many wood. I feel happy with my smokeless stove.”

Before receiving their new latrine, she explains that they had a latrine in poor conditions. “Now, we feel better with this one, it is comfortable.” The family has also felt a difference with their water filter. Before they had to boiled it, and sometimes drank it directly from the sink, causing them intestinal diseases. Now, it is easier and safer to drink potable water from the filter. “Now we drink it from the filter and it tastes better! Efraín can come and drink fresh water, whenever he wants to, it has helped us a lot this filter,” says María.

María refers to her time with the volunteers; “I was very surprised to see how hard they worked in order to build my products, they were hard workers and good people,” she continues, “I am very grateful to all of them, they came to lend me a hand when I need it the most. May God bless them.”

Estela (24) lives with her husband, Samuel (26), and their baby boy, Jayden (1.5) in the community of Santa Lucía Utatlán, Sololá. While Samuel works as a Tuctuc driver, Estela takes care of baby Jayden 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.

Estela explains; “I used to cook over an open-flame stove for several years. Causing the smoke to stay inside my kitchen. Made my eyes red and gave me sour throat,” she continues, “When I found out about this project, I applied to receive a better stove. Now, you can see that there is no more smoke inside! My new stove is working great, it is easier to cook here.”

She feels satisfied with her new stove; “I feel great! No more red eyes! It lights up fast, and it gives me enough space to cook all of my dishes. And it consumes less wood.”  When asked what she enjoys cooking the most on her new stove, she smiles and answers: “My tortillas and our everyday meals.”

Estela refers to her time with the volunteers; “We had a fun day! We where chatting and working together. We felt very happy to spend time with them,” she continues, “Receive all my greetings. May God bless you and your families! Thank you all for your support.”

Francisca lives with her husband, José, and their seven children, María, Francisco, Tomás, Daniel, Liliana, Susana and Josué, in a small community in Sololá.  While José works in the fields, Francisca takes care of the children.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive the family’s sanitary latrine, the family had been using an old one for almost 6 years. It was in poor conditions already.

Francisca found out about the latrines project through the local committee members, and decided with her husband to participate and receive a new latrine. When asked how she feels with her new latrine, she responds, “I feel happy, this new one is much better than the old one. We have our privacy and it is comfortable.”

Regarding the time spent with the volunteers, she shares,  “Utz! (good) it was a fun day! they built it really fast. May all of you receive our greetings. Thank you for your support.”

Olmar (27), is living with her wife, Melissa (21) and their daughter, Kiara (4),  in their new Habitat home in Rabinal, Petén. Both of them work as merchants in Rabinal and other towns of Baja Verapaz.

Olmars’ mother, Catarina, welcomed us into their home because they both were at work and could not be present during our visit.

She shares that the family has known about Habitat Guatemala for many years. “This was the opportunity for them to achieve independence and have their own space,” mentions Catarina.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, they used to live at Catarina’s house and the rest of the family. When asked how Olmar feels with his new home, her mother shares, “He is very happy! Now, they have their own space, and are more independent. There is enough space for Kiara to play too.”  In the future, the family plans to paint the house and eventually add an extra room.

About the time the family spent with the volunteers, they recall, “It was a fun week, all the volunteers were hard workers, and despite the heat, they worked hard!  With the great help they gave us, we progressed a lot faster with the construction, specially the trenches becase the dirt was hard, and now, here we have the house completed.”

She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers; “Thank you all for your big support, you were part of the foundations of this house. All our family is grateful to each one of you.”