Thelma lives with her daughters Jazmín (4) and Ingrid (3) and her husband Danny, who recently returned from working in Canada, in their new Habitat home in the department of Chimaltenango.

Before building their new house, Thelma and her family used to live with her parents: “We were living with my parents in a small room for the four of us. We did not have enough space, and my girls wanted to have their own space to play.”

They learned about our programs through Thelma’s sister who already owns a Habitat house. “We did not have enough resources to pay for our own house. That was one of the reasons my husband went to Canada to work and pay for it,”  explains Thelma.

When asked how she feels about her new house, she answers: “I feel really happy. It was our dream and now it is a reality.”  She continues: “with my husband, we are at home, and feel calm and can enjoy.” The family is planning to add a big garden and paint the house in the future.

About the volunteers, she says: “I remember the volunteers a lot because they worked really hard. I was very happy to receive them and share with them.” Thelma continues: “They were really fun and never got tired.”

Thelma sends the volunteers a special message: “Thank you very much for your help, we are very happy with our house! I encourage you to keep on helping and may God bless you.”

(Pictured Sara and her niece, who constantly visits her)

The Carrillo family is currently living in their new Habitat home in the department of El Progreso. Sara (25), works as a waiter in a local restaurant and her husband, Axel (32), is a retailer at a local store. When we visited their family we learned that it is about to grow in numbers, the young couple is expecting their first baby girl!

Sara and Axel were still dating, and planning to get married, when she found out about Habitat Guatemala’s programs through a local fair. Sara explains their situation, “First our house and then our marriage… now we are ready to start our family!”

“I am so happy and very content to have my own space. It is a great achievement for me!” explains Sara about how she feels about her home. She continues to explain their plans for the future, “I want to paint it and in the future add more rooms. I like to cook, spend time with my husband and listen to music too.”

As for the family’s experience with the volunteers Sara says, “They liked to share a lot of time with us. We made great memories with them when we walked around our neighborhood.” She continues, “thank you very much for your support, I will always carry you in my heart and mind. Feel welcome whenever you want to come back.”

Iris Pinol lives with her husband, Luis, and their five children, Jorge (16), Julio (14), Oscar (12), Brian (8) and Luisa (4) in the department of El Progreso. Iris works in a tortilla shop and her husband works as a mason. Prior to building their Habitat home, the family lived in a shack made out of metal sheets on the same land where they currently live. These previous conditions meant that water entered the house in when it rained and the heat was very strong on hot days.

After learning about Habitat Guatemala through some family members, Luis decided it was time to build a home of their own.

“We are so happy, because now our children have a stable and safe house!” says Iris. She continues explaining their plans for the future, “We want to paint it on the inside in the future. We enjoy spending our time together inside.”

Iris thoughtfully reflects on her time with the volunteers who came and helped her build her home, “It was a nice experience for us to share with all the volunteers, my daughter still remembers you every day.  Thank you for your support, we will always remember you.“

Jeraldy lives with her husband Ariel their daughter Gladys and two step children José and Jesús in their new home in the Luis Samayoa Housing community. Before partnering with Habitat Guatemala, they rented a small house for almost two years.

When they found out that Jeraldy was expecting a baby, they decided it was time to build a place of their own. When asked how she feels with her house, Jeraldy replies: “I’m happy. There is nothing better that being home!”

About the volunteers Jeraldy remarks: “It was an unforgettable week, they worked really hard, they did not care about the heat,” she continues, “thank you all for your support, we will never forget you, may God bless you!”