Greetings from Guatemala

Meet Judy, Barb, Alan, Daniel, and Jeanne.

These five volunteers from the Tacoma/Pierce County area have committed nine days of their summer to better their lives, as well as the lives of four Guatemalan families.

Our work here in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala will result in the construction of four sanitary latrines and four smokeless cooking stoves, in addition to the installation of four water filtration systems. These Habitat for Humanity healthy home kit products will provide access to the basic human health rights that the majority of us take for granted.

Over the last 25 years, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has tithed more than $650,000 to Habitat for Humanity Guatemala. These dollars have built countless stoves, latrines, and homes, and helped people like Judy, Barb, Alan, Daniel, and Jeanne build lifelong relationships with the communities, construction staff members, and partner families that Habitat for Humanity Guatemala serves.

Build Update:

Day four of our trip and day two on the build site. We may feel like a well-oiled machine when it comes to constructing latrines and stoves, but the laughs and head-shaking of our construction leaders tell us we’re far from being more than adequate.

Our group of newly minted masons and latrine builders took on today’s project at the home of Manuel and Lidia, in the rural area surrounding San Lucas Toliman. Our projects were completed 20 minutes faster than yesterday so our well-oiled machine status stands, but much more of the day was spent with family than yesterday.

Yesterday we felt more focused on our projects, but didn’t spend the time to hang out with the partner family and our construction leaders. Maybe it was getting more comfortable with working through translators or maybe it was years-old Spanish class practice coming back to life, but I’m glad it happened. The conversations and shared meals is what will be remembered by us volunteers weeks, months, and years after we pack our bags and return to our lives.

Learn more about Global Village and how you can get involved.