“This is the first of a total of 48 stoves built here with us in Guachipilin!” – says Joaquin Raxaco Sical accompanied by his wife Angelinaas they proudly show us their stove, which was built with the support of Union Church.

Angelina is cooking corn, and tells us that it is now much easier to prepare food, as she no longer needs to bend down and her eyes don’t water because smoke doesn’t accumulate in the kitchen .

Angelina and Joaquin have raised 10 children . They proudly tell that they have 27 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Most of them live in the city. Joaquin is a 72 year old farmer who is a volunteer for Habitat and his village of Guachipilin.

He has coordinated the work for the construction of the stoves earlier this year. Proudly he tells us that he is responsible for the water supply of the village. “When the 48 stoves were completed, we celebrated together and thanked the donors and God. On behalf of every one the families, I want to say thank you to the donors. Our lives have become much easier.” -says Joaquin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our way through Guachipilin near Rabinal, we visit the house  of Glenda Amarilis Cahuc Mendoza. The young woman is busy washing clothes andthe washed pieces are drying in the sun. She welcomes us with a smile..

Her husband Minor  is a construction worker and is currently working on a construction site. Their son Cristopher Armando attends the local school.

“I had headache from the smoke when I used to cook over the open fire pit on the ground” – Glenda tells us, pointing to the kitchen, which is located in a small room. “Thank God the new stove was built. There is less smoke in the kitchen and I use less wood.¨ .

Once a week shecleans the stove according to the maintenance instructions given to her by Habitat Guatemala. This ensures that the stove will work without problems for a long time.

Glenda feels it is important to express her gratitude to the donors, because they could not have raised the money for a new stove on their own. The new stove has come at the right time for her and her family, as wood has become considerably expensive in recent months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In April 2022, Mayra Elisabeth Juarez Cortéz and 47 other families, living in the village of Guachipilin , Baja Verapaz received smokeless stoves donated  by Union Church a.

“Uztilaj aniim!” Mayra greets us in Achi, the language of the local mayan population with her daughter Dalila Adriana des not leaving her side, watching us very curiously. Mayra’s husband, Leonel  is a mason by trade and is currently working on a construction site in Rabinal.

“Before, I used a simple fire pit on the ground and needed a lot of wood to cook the food. It’s very different now, as I use much less wood and I can cook the food much faster . The unpleasant smoke is no longer a nuisance” – mentions Mayra .

With the money the family saves on wood,  they plan to invest in improving the water supply in their home.

“Maltiox”- thanks, says Mayra – “I thank from my heart ALL who helped us in this way. God bless them.”

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Eduardo, his wife and her son Victor Emilio, used to live in a house built from bamboo and nylon. The house was in poor condition with a leaking roof and not enough space and privacy for all the family members.  

With the support of  Presbyterian Church of Bend Foundation, Eduardo and his family are now the proud owners of a hybrid house. When asked how they feel about their new home, Eduardo answers: “This house is completely different from our other house. It is wide, and protects us from the rain”.  

The hybrid house has a cement floor, which helps reduce parasitic and infectious diseases such as influenza and other intestinal infections. Complemented with the water filter, the Chumil family now has access to clean drinking water. In addition, they have also received a sanitary latrine as their former latrine was already in poor condition.  

“Thanks to all the people that supported us in building our home. I do not have enough words to thank you. May God bless you”. -Eduardo Chumil.