Marcela lives with her husband Valerio, and their three children, Gladys (30), Imelda (14) and her granddaughter, Angelica 89) in San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá. While Valerio works in the fields, Marcela takes care of the household chores.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive the family’s sanitary latrine, the family had been using one that was in poor conditions for almost ten years, “When it rained, the latrine flooded,” she continues, “When my husband found out about this project, we decided to apply.” Marcela is happy with new her sanitary latrine, “The new one is better, it is more private and in better conditions.”

She finishes by sharing a message to the volunteers, “Tiox! Thank you all for your support in building our latrine. May God bless you and your families.”  – Marcela.

Marta lives with her husband, Víctor, and their five children, Elvia (9), Roselda (7), Lisbeth (5), Andrés (4) and Marcos (2) in San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá. While Víctor works in agriculture, Marta takes care of the children and the household chores.

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 that was broken for almost ten years . Because it was broken, the smoke stayed inside the kitchen, causing me and my family to suffer from respiratory diseases.” She continues, “The new one is very pretty and working great! It is big and has enough room to cook all of my dishes at once. Also, I have been able to save wood.” Marta 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 they had to share one with three other families, “Now, it is more comfortable, because we have our own, we do not have to wait to use it. ” The family has also felt a difference with their water filter. Before they drank water directly from the sink, causing the children pain from intestinal diseases. Now, it is easier and safer to drink potable water from the filter. “We are happy with our three products, and we are using them to improve our quality of life,” says Marta.

Edith refers to her time with the volunteers; “All of them where very kind,” she continues, “Thank you all for your support! May God bless you. We send our greetings to you.”

Cecilia, her husband, Lucas, and their four children, John (14), Vanessa (12) , Rosaura (9) and Dalmi (7), live in a small community, near Lake Atitlán, Sololá. While Lucas works in the fields, Cecilia is a homemaker.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive the family’s sanitary latrine, the family had been using the old one for over nine years, Cecilia explains that it was in poor conditions and uncomfortable, “This one is better! It is easier to clean, and easy to use for my children,” says Cecilia.

About her experience with the volunteers, she shares; “It was a fun day, we played and worked together. We are happy with our new latrine. Thank you all!”

Santos, her husband, Cristobal, and their two daughters, Reina and María, live in a small community, near Lake Atitlán, Sololá. While Cristobal works in agriculture, Santos is a homemaker and weaves traditional clothes for extra income.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive the family’s sanitary latrine, Santos explains that after almost 6 years of use, their old latrine was in poor conditions. “We feel content with our new latrine, it is cleaner and more comfortable,” says Santos.

About her experience with the volunteers, she shares; “We worked together and we had a great time.” She finishes by sharing a message to them: “Thank you all for your support. We send our greetings.” – Santos Ajú