News – Page 17 – Hábitat para la Humanidad Guatemala

Healthy Home Kit – Susely Can – Doug Amirault

2 February, 2021/in Meet our families, News /by profiles

Susely lives with her husband, David, and their 3 children, Antony(9), Madelyn (6), and Keyler (4) (36), Antonieta (21), José (18) and Elisa (17), in the community of Santa Lucía Utatlán, above Lake Atitlán in the departament of Sololá. David works in agricultre, while Gregoria stays at home and takes care of the chores.

As part of Habitat Guatemala’s Healthy Home Kit program 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 the project, they decided it was the perfect opportunity to improve their family’s quality of life.

“We used to cook over a “poyo” an open flame, for over 9 years, it was in a very bad condition. The smoke made us feel sick, causing us red eyes too,” she continues, “I feel content with my new stove now. There is no more smoke inside our kitchen, no more sickness and red eyes and the best part is that we save wood too.”

Before receiving their new latrine, the family explains that the old one was also in poor shape. “The new one is much easier to use for our children,” says Brigida. Things are going great with their water filter too. Now, they can drink potable water and not get sick.

Susely refers to their time with the volunteers by explaining, “We had a good day with the volunteers, they played with my children and built together,” she continues; “Thanks to all of the volunteers and to God! thank you for supporting our families and villages. May God bless you.”

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.

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.

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.”

#MyHabitatExperience – Delorean Randich

20 November, 2020/in News, News EN /by profiles

My name is Delorean Randich. I am Guatemalan, married, and have two children. I’m a public accountant, with a Master’s Degree in Business Management and I am currently studying a PhD in Law. I have received different trainings in finance, cooperatives, corporate governance, risk and technology management. My background has been in insurance companies, credits and savings cooperatives, management, audit activities, and I have experience as a professor at a local university.

Why Habitat Guatemala?

I am convinced of the great potential that Habitat for Humanity Guatemala has to continue working towards the mission of providing more Guatemalan families with an adequate house through the principles of sweat equity, stewardship, training in different subjects and attention to primary needs in life. Habitat Guatemala has a solid team of strategic allies, committed to donate their willpower, time, resources, efforts and initiatives to increase the impact in the quality of life of all communities in Guatemala.

Your Habitat Experience:

I started at Habitat for Humanity Guatemala back in 2018 as a volunteer in different commissions (Finance and Auditing). Later, I became a part of the Board as the Treasurer. Being part of those commissions allowed me to witness the combination of several factors that have been successful keys in the institution’s story. Starting with always prioritizing the needs of the families, followed by social housing grants; also, the staff that is committed to serving the communities.

Since early September, I have had the honor of serving as the National Director of Habitat Guatemala. When holding this position it is important to consider all of the perspectives and points of view surrounding the organization – starting with local committees, affiliates, national offices, and strategic allies, who are day by day, serving families.

What do you like the most about your position?

At Habitat Guatemala we are facing several challenging horizons. The main difficulty consists of extending a variety of housing solutions in accordance with new development opportunities of families. Such challenges will be addressed with a holistic approach, involving all the factors surrounding Habitat, in order to establish a sustainable management throughout time. Ultimately, this will ensure the increasing impact in housing, improvement of living conditions, and in technical governance of the housing solutions offered by Habitat: to make them affordable and accessible to those who have the primary need of an adequate house.

A message to the donors and volunteers

2020 has been a complicated year, challenging above all. A time in which families worldwide have lived never imagined circumstances. However, it has also been a time of reflection, and to think of new ways of living and overcoming. In 2020, many families who already had the need of adequate housing were even more affected because of the economic crisis, employment loss, and impact of several natural disasters. The hope, the ideal to count on a safe house, and an adequate quality of life is still alive in each family. In its mission and vision, Habitat for Humanity Guatemala seeks to promote decent housing for Guatemalan families through a unique model based on the love of God through the actions of donors and volunteers, and by providing housing with a social focus, with an added value based on better construction practices, mutual aid and education.

On behalf of Habitat Guatemala, I want to extend our deep appreciation to all of the support that you have dedicated to the families and communities of Guatemala, which is reflected in the smiles, joy, health and prosperity of each home. We invite you to continue supporting our efforts, through donations and volunteering, together, knowing that there is a lot more to be done in the housing development subject in the country. May God bless you!

Tropical Storms Eta & Iota Response

5 November, 2020/in News, News EN /by profiles

(Photo: Prensa Libre)

UPDATED: 20 November, 2020

Hurricane Iota (Category 5 storm) hit Central America on Monday, November 16^th, 2020, bringing catastrophic winds and a life-threatening storm surge.

Iota’s arrival comes as the region is still recovering from Hurricane Eta, which made landfall earlier this month as a Category 4 storm. The storm hit Guatemala on Thursday, November 5th, causing severe damage and fatalities.

President, Alejandro Giammatei, has declared a National Alert and a State of Emergency in nine Departments: Petén, Quiché, Alta Verapaz, Izabal, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Jutiapa, El Progreso and Santa Rosa.

CURRENT NUMBERS:

Number of fatalities: 55
Number of injuries: 22
Missing persons: 101
Number of individuals affected: 1,338,641
Number of evacuees: 203.979
Number of individuals in temporary shelters: 179,899

(Photo: Prensa Libre)

Habitat Guatemala is planning to support affected families with the solutions:

Products:

Food Kit ($35)
- This kit will provide families with essential food items necessary for a family of 5 for two week’s time and consists of the following items: 5 pounds beans, 5 pounds of rice, 10 pounds of corn flour, 5 pounds of pasta noodles, 6 packages of soup, 5 pounds of sugar, 1 bottle of cooking oil, 1 pound of salt, and 3 pounds of atol (corn drink).
Cash Voucher ($50)
- These vouchers will be distributed to the most affected families and will be leveraged against the loss of economic income for the payment of basic services or rent. Families whose homes have been declared uninhabitable by constant rains, as well as those who are living in temporary shelters will be prioritized.

Hygiene Kit ($70)
- A set of articles that cover personal and household hygiene needs. The kit will protect families from possible infections, as well as provide safe water through the use of a water filter. Each kit consists of the following items: water filter, a box of latex gloves, 1 liter of hand sanitizer, 10 face masks, 1 gallon of bleach, 1 gallon of hand soap, and 1 kilo of laundry detergent.

Habitat Guatemala will also be following the damage of the storm as it progresses to determine our next steps regarding the reconstruction or repairs of homes.

Thanks to your support we will serve families in need during these difficult times.

Donate now