#MyHabitatExperience – Mario Joaquín López

I’m an architect and researcher with a speciality in Regional Planning. I’m passionate about promoting a more equal habitat that is suitable for symbiotic interaction with the environment. I currently work as a Special Projects Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity Guatemala.

Habitat Guatemala is an organization that has diversified its work to go beyond social financing. I find that Habitat’s work focuses in the principle of global communities, committed to mitigating issues with different actions such as the multi-dimensional impacts of poverty in a country like Guatemala. Furthermore, it is an organization that acts responsibly within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.

I began my career with Habitat in 2012, right after the devastating earthquake that happened in San Marcos. I was a witness of the commitment of the organization to assist families that lost everything. During my first two years with Habitat, I was involved in the construction of homes. During the last three years, I’ve dedicated my time to the development of projects that promote communal well-being, reduce disaster risk and have defended social housing and their importance when developing land-use policies.

Working at Habitat Guatemala represents a learning opportunity for both my personal and professional development, allowing me to promote advocacy on different scales. From the particularity of a home built with social financing to support in the development and well-being of entire communities as well as benefiting cities with the elaboration of land policies, I feel that my work is diverse. Lastly, my work continuously links me to the field, allowing me to meet Habitat’s partner families which inspires me to continue working for their benefit.