Delia, her husband Rogelio and her children, Edwina (16), Elvis (14), Sulmi (11), Melvin (9), Neriho (7) and Reina (2) in Solola. Delia is a homemaker, and Rogelio works in agriculture.

The family have lived in the current home for 10 years. Prior to their Habitat stove, “we had a stove that we propped up with rocks” the old stove is nearby and broken. “I love to make hot coffee, tortillas and prepare my daily meals with it,” says Delia.

The family also has a Habitat latrine. “Now we have our bathroom and we can go there and still have privacy. “When the kids were young, my husband created a latrine out of dried corn stalks, but after time, they started to fall, and he works so hard, it continued to fall apart over the years and we needed a new one after so many years. This was is much better because it has walls and a roof,” says Delia.

Delia is pleased with her healthy home kit, but her greatest impression was with the group of volunteers, she shares: “Thanks to God that they came to work with me. They were very kind, smiling and caring people. They cared a lot for my children, and my children felt very close to them. When the day came, I thought it would only be the builder coming to help and I thought it would take a lot of time.  To see such a group come unexpectedly show up was such a great help! They came and attended to building my stove, the latrine and it was done so quickly! I was very happy this day having them here.”

Thanks to you all, the work ended quickly, I was very happy passing this day together and send a lot of my love and greetings to everyone who came. Even now, my kids remember your names and ask for you. Thank you that you came to do this for us. We are very grateful.”

Fulgencio(20) and his siblings Migdalia Ofelia (19), Carlos (10) and Daisy (7) live with in the village of San Lucas, Solola. The siblings recently lost their parents and with the help of his oldest sister and aunt, whom they live with, Fulgencio works very hard to keep the family unified.

With the help of their eldest sister, the family opened a small shop at the front of the house where they sell snacks and small goods. Migdalia runs the shop and the profit goes to keep a roof over their head and pay Carlos and Daisy’s school fees. Fulgencio works with their neighbors in agriculture, and this work allows the family consistent access to have fresh fruits and vegetables.

One year ago, Fulgencio discussed with his aunt their need for a stove and a latrine. He learned about Habitat’s program and the family recently received a Habitat Healthy Home Kit, complete with a stove, latrine and a clean water filter. Speaking of their prior stove he says, “before we had one, it was a table with a grill here in the middle, but it used a lot of wood and the smoke did not leave the house. It caused a lot of coughing, everything stayed inside. Now we don’t have that problem. Now, the smoke, goes out, the air is much fresher inside” How does it go outside? we ask, not seeing the usual chimney that accompany the new stoves “the chimney is here behind the wall and everything goes outside. Now, the smoke leaves very well,” he says.

What do you like about the stove, “Everything,” he says, “it saves wood, it cooks the food more quickly.” Of the latrine Fulgencio says “now, it is closer to the house, the old latrine was farther away close to the coffee fields and the little ones were afraid to go out there at night. This one is closer and it is a better quality too” he shares.

To the group of volunteers, Fulgencio says “thank you to you all for this stove, the filter and the bathroom, it has been a great help and we are very grateful for these.”

Encarnación and her husband, Pablo have lived in their home since they first moved in as a couple 40 years ago. All of her children were raised in the house. We met with the couple and the youngest four of her six children, Irene (28), Clara (26), Edwin (20), and Emerson (18) to discuss the Habitat stove that the family received just this past year.

The difference with this stove, Encarnación says is, “there is not any smoke with this new one. Before we cooked with a similar stove” which Encarnación points to sitting closeby “but it does not work.” “I like how quickly things cook with the new stove” she says.

When asked about her favorite thing to cook on the new stove, Encarnación says, “chicken, chicken of all kinds” When asked the same question, a battle of sorts for favorite child takes place between the siblings, “everything, mom makes” says Edwin, trying to vie for first place! “Mom’s fried rice” says Emerson, “chicken fingers” says Irene and traditional “hierba” says Clara. The siblings are adamantly shy, not wanting to be photographed but smiling at seeing their mom take pictures with the family’s new stove and enjoying the experience as equally their own.

Of the volunteers the family said, “we remember all their names” and laughed as they shared about their time together, recounting their experience, “ the group was very kind, and we enjoyed having them,” says Encarnacion, “thank you for all that you did and thank you for this stove.”

We visited the home of Habitat promoter Oscar Eduardo in the town of Panajachel, Solola. When we visited them the excitement was easily felt.

As a Habitat Promoter, Oscar has helped hundreds of families realize their own dreams, while saving towards a dream of his own—having and building his own home someday through the help of Habitat. “I love working with communities to help families improve their quality of life and I feel very happy for the work that I do to help families build stoves, latrines and houses and have better access to clean water. At Habitat, we work with families with the greatest need – I feel very proud to be a part of the work we do and I feel very satisfied to help the Foundation make these changes in the lives of families. “

Now, that the family is moved in Oscar says his favorite part of the experience “was the moment they gave me the keys. The day that I came and got the keys to the home, it was a great feeling, Its something that I do not know if I truly imagined. I knew I always wanted my own home but to have that day actualized its very beautiful.” Prior to his Habitat home, Oscar and his three-year-old daughter, Evelyn, lived with his parents.

When asked why he wanted to build his house Oscar shared, “it’s been my dream to have my own house since I was thirteen years old. At that age, I started learning how to lay blocks and build houses and I decided that a house was something I wanted.” Thirteen years later, Oscar is a proud homeowner and like many families that he has helped through his work, his dream has also been realized.

When he recalls his overall experience, the volunteers came to mind, “They were a very fun group. Everyone always came together and worked very hard. On the day the materials came, the group helped unload it all in one day and I remember how tired everyone was at the end of the day because everyone was so focused and committed to seeing it done well,” he says.

When asked about his plans for the house, Oscar says: “I plan to pay down on the amount of the house and then to put a roof that will cover the pila and wash area.” “My long term, my vision is to add a second level.”

Oscar shares a message for the volunteers: “Thank you to each and every one of you. I am grateful for the entire group and how hard they worked” says Oscar. The work of the group shows, the house is small and beautifully constructed and with final touches in place, it’s clear to understand Oscar’s enthusiasm and pride as a Habitat homeowner.