María Xicay Family – ADISA
María (36) and her three children, Eddy (13), Nicolás (9) and Rosario (4) are the proud owners of a new Habitat home in the community of Tzanchaj, Santiago Atitlán, Sololá. María is a single mother who works as an artisan, making and selling traditional crafts.
The family used to live with María’s parents-in-law and 9 relatives in a small house built out of adobe blocks, rocks and dirt flooring. With the support of Hope and Healing, Habitat Canada, ADISA and Habitat Guatemala, the family received a new home, a smokeless stove, a bathroom and a water filter. These solutions helped improve their living conditions by providing them a safe, smokeless-free home with access to proper sanitation. Maria was very motivated to participate in the project as she found it to be a great opportunity to improve her family’s quality of life.
When asked how they feel with their new house, María smiles and responds, ”I feel so so happy. I love my house! Now, thanks to God, we have our own space. My children can play and do whatever they want.”
Regarding their stove, María shares that she used to cook over an open flame on the floor, causing red eyes and respiratory diseases. With the new stive there is no more smoke inside the kitchen and the family no longer suffers from respiratory diseases. Maria reports liking the water filter as it is easy to use and she knows that her family can have quick access to clean drinking water.
4 year old Rosario and Maria attend ADISA’s health clinic where they receive nutritional services. Rosario is gaining weight and thriving. When we asked her what she wants to be when she grows up, she shyly answers: “I want to keep on studying and later i will decide what I want to be.”
What the family enjoys most about their new home is that they can be together. The children spend time with Maria, while she is making her crafts. “It has been really hard for me as a single mom. I was longing for a house of my own, a safe place for my children to grow up in. Now, my dream has become a reality,” says María.
She send this message to our donors, “Maltiox! (thank you) I am very grateful to everyone who has helped us. I felt hopeless before but now I feel better. Because of you my children have a safe place to grow up.”
