Jacinta and her two children Paola (18) and Danny (8) live in the village of San Lucia, Solola. Her mother Magdalena lives just next door and was there when we visited.

The family have had their Habitat stove for 6 months now and have enjoyed their experience, “before we used three rocks and a comal (metal grill) for my stove. With this stove I do not use a lot of wood and the smoke leaves” says Jacinta. “Here, I like to make my mischa tamal, my tortillas, frijoles. I use the stove to heat water for us to bathe too and everything takes less time,” she continues; “I have more time to weave and create more pieces to sell.”

Jacinta remembers very well the group of volunteers who came to build her stove. “They were kind, generous, worked peacefully and left happy as well.” She shares this message to the group, “I am grateful for you all because you helped us a lot, we carry you in this house and always talk about the time you were here. I hope that God will bless you and your lives with good health, this is my desire for you.”

Last year, we met Crisanta López González and six of her children – Roxana (19), Sabina (15), Juan Alberto (13), Yadira (10), Harley (7), and Taylor (6) – in San Juan Ostuncalco, a community located in the department of Quetzaltenango, in western Guatemala.

In January 2018, the lives of the López family members dramatically changed when Crisanta’s husband, Juan, passed away unexpectedly. Juan, who worked as a mason, was the family’s breadwinner. Upon his passing, Crisanta took it upon herself to provide for her children, cleaning houses and office spaces twice a week in order to put food on the table.

The family inhabits a three-bedroom house. They did not have a functional latrine. Crisanta used to cook on and old stove that was in poor conditions too, causing her and the children to have respiratory diseases and red eyes.

 

In light of their living conditions, Habitat Guatemala was able to provide the López family with a Healthy Home Kit, thanks to those who donated in the memory of Erasmus. This kit which consists of a Chispa stove, a water filter, and a new sanitary latrine which improves the family’s quality of life with access to proper sanitation and a smoke-free environment.

Crisanta shares how her family’s daily life has improved with the products: “Everyone is happy!” Regarding their sanitary latrine, Crisanta explains that the new one is cleaner, more comfortable and private, “I am very grateful, because I feel that all of you are my family now.” When asked about her new Chispa stove she explains, “With our new stove we do not need to use as much firewood and there is no more smoke inside the kitchen.”

Thank you to everyone who honored Erasmus’s memory by supporting Crisanta in her journey towards improving her family’s quality of life.

 

The stove that Cristanta was using during Habitat’s visit to her home in October 2018

The new Chispa stove that Crisanta is utilizing as of May 2019

 

Crisanta and Taylor in front of their new latrine in May 2019

We visited Anastacia with our Habitat promoter, Gabriel, who translated with Anastacia in Kaquichel about her newly built Habitat latrine. Anastacia and her family received their new Habitat latrine and shared with us the difference that this new addition has made to their home life.

The family has made changes since the construction. “We’ve painted the outside of the latrine and added a light inside so we can use it easily at night.” The new latrine is shared by the whole family on the plot of family land, and between 3 houses, they all share the single latrine. “Maltoix” she says, “I don’t speak much Spanish but thank you for the help that you gave and for coming to build our latrine,” says Anastacia.

She remembers the group very well and says though it was hard to communicate, she shared “ I am very grateful that a group came to my home to offer help to my family, it was so important to me.”

Henry, Maria and their four children Christian(10), Henry (9), Stephanie (4) and Adriana (1) live in the village of Xecaracoj, Quetzaltenango. They have lived in their Habitat home now for seven months. Before, they lived in a small house, just at the back of their current house, where they had lived for eight years. The house was made of cement blocks but had dirt floors and only had enough room for the family’s beds and their stove.

“We’re so grateful that Habitat brought this project to our town, because before, they were only able to bring services to larger municipalities. We’re so glad an area like ours can now receive this service,” says Henry, his older brother built a Habitat home 13 years ago, and recently, Henry’s father reminded him that Habitat was an organization that could help the family improve their living conditions.

“Here in Quetzaltenango, it is very expensive to be able to build a house because it is expensive to buy the land, to bring the water, light, drainage and then buy building materials and pay for labor. But thanks to Habitat, the building materials and labor expenses are taken care of and the rest we are able to take care of and pay for the house, the same as if we were paying rent,” says Henry.

“When asked how the kids feel, “excellent, magnificent” Henry says with a grin. “Happy, it is a much better environment and healthier for the kids.” Maria adds. “Before, there was dirt. Now, there are floors, and doors, and a bathroom. Before we had an outdoor toilet and there were snakes, toads, coachroaches, and there was not any light. When the kids would use the bathroom at night, I worried that they could get bitten by something or fall into the hole,” she continues; “I worried a lot. Now they can go to the bathroom, there’s light, there aren’t any animals, and with just a flush, the water and waste goes away. It’s excellent.”

To the group of volunteers, the couple says, “We send our greetings to our friends! How are you? We hope you’re doing so well and appreciate how you keep in touch and ask about us!” “We are so grateful to you all that you came to lend a hand and we hope that one day you’ll come and visit us.” Says Maria. Henry adds, “We keep in touch with some of the volunteers, and they ask for pictures and tell us what a beautiful house!” “We’re so happy to still know them and have a way to show our appreciation.”