Sonia lives with her husband José Luis, Delmy (26) and a grandson Juan Anthony (13) in the outskirts of San Pedro las Huertas, Sacatepéquez.  Don José Luis works as a blacksmith in San Pedro, Delmy works in Guatemala City and Sonia stays home taking care of the chores and Juan Anthony.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala to receive a Healthy Home Kit that consists of a smokeless stove, sanitary latrine and a water filter. Sonia used to cook over an open flame, causing her to have red eyes and respiratory diseases. Furthermore the family did not have access to proper sanitation or safe drinking water.

“I feel very happy with my stove, it works very well and saves wood too!” she continues explaining about their latrine, “when we moved here, we built our own latrine but it was in bad shape, it was not well built, and I was scared that someone would fall in it. Now it is completely different, because it is new and clean!” When asked about how the family feels about their water filter, Sonia smiles and answers;  “Excellent excellent! It is working perfectly and most important, the water that we are drinking it is clean and safe to drink now!”

To the team that made this project possible, Sonia wants to say; “I am very grateful to all for their support, this kit is a huge blessing. I admire everyone that helps others. May God multiply all that you are giving.”

Doña Carmen, lives with her husband José, and their two children, Selvin (16) and Wendy (12), in a small house in the outskirts of San Pedro las Huertas, Sacatepéquez. José works as a taxi driver in Guatemala City while Carmen owns a small tortilla shop in their home.

Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, Carmen used to cook over an open flame (where she used to prepare the tortillas she sold) and did not have access to proper sanitation or safe drinking water.

“When a friend came to my house and told me about this project, I was very excited, because I have been wanting my stove and proper sanitation for a long time!” says Carmen.  When asked about how she feels with her new stove Carmen answers: “I feel very happy,” she explains that her tortilla business is now growing thanks to her new stove.

As part of the Healthy Home Kit, the family also received a sanitary latrine and a water filter. Before receiving their latrine, the family did not have adequate sanitation and therefore had the need to practice open defecation.  “This solution has made a big change in their lives, Carmen explains: “For me this latrine means a lot, it was a big help.”

Regarding the water filter, she says, “The water filter has helped us stop getting sick. Before we drank contaminated water that made us sick and it was dirty because of the dust too,” she continues, “now it is pure and clean.”

To the team that made this project possible doña Carmen wants to say;  “I am very thankful to all who have helped us. I feel really happy with my kit! I invite you to continue with your support to all the people in need.”

Doña Odilia lives with her husband Ramiro, and five children: Ramiro, Iris, Leydi, Aldri and Anthony in a small community called el Durazno, Chimaltenango. Doña Odilia takes care of the home and works in different houses doing laundry, while Ramiro works in the fields and takes care of their cows.  Ramiro Jr. helps taking care of the cows in the morning and in the afternoon he goes to school, the rest of the children also go to school, except little Anthony who will start attending next year.

Before receiving a Smokeless Stove, Odilia used to cook on a “pollo,” an open fire stove that she built herself. It caused her and her family different respiratory diseases and red eyes because of the smoke.

Odilia feels really happy and content because she says “I have never cooked in a stove like this, now I can prepare my tortillas really fast, and cook my food too, with less wood.  I am really thankful to God and the persons that helped us with this project,” she continues, “it was a really nice surprise!”

When asked about the day of construction, Odilia refers: “It was a really nice day, my children and I were really happy, it was a great blessing, she continues, “may God bless you all.”

“Thank you for thinking about us even though you live far away, we are looking forward to seeing you again, feel welcome here!” She continues, “every day I thank God for the stove and send prayers for you all.”

Nora Melgar, lives with her husband José, and children María (6) Emy (4), Nury (2) in their new Habitat home in Alotenango, Chimaltenango.  Daniel works in a hotel and Nora is a teacher.

When asked about how she feels with her house, she expresses: “I feel very happy! First, I want to give thanks to God and thanks to Habitat for helping us. My husband constantly says that he still cannot believe that we would have a house of our own ever,” she continues, “In Habitat it is an easy application process, and we are thankful because they have given us better opportunities, I can happily say that we are paying for something that will last, for something of our own.”