Hola!
I hope everyone is okay. Sorry about the abrupt stop in my blog yesterday. The orientation was super and we learnt that Guatemala is the oldest affiliate of Habitat and they just finished building their 25,000 house last November. A family can obtain a loan for a house with Habitat if A) They own a plot of land, B) Can Financially pay back the loan...IE: Have a job, and C) Help build their own house. All houses need to be paid back but families are more than happy to keep paying back the house to make it theirs. Usually a house is paid off in about 8 to 12 years. Nothing is ever given to them for free because they then they would feel like they would just have to get a loan with Habitat and not help out or do anything to earn a house. Thats why they don't like it if we bring children presents because thats all they'll remember about us. Usually when a family asks for a house, the papers take about 2 months to process and their house can start being built. A normal house takes about 22 days to build but since we're here to help it should take 15 to 18 days to build... This also depends on how fast the Stone Mason will work. Today I get to meet the family that we're building for. Theres 20 people in my group and we'll get split up into 3 groups to work... Thats fine because you get more one on one time with your Mason and Family. I'm pretty excited for today, its raining outside so I wore my sweats and have all the exess needs in my backpack. Breakfast was amazing, it was a buffet in which I had American Style pancakes, Yogert, Pineapple and Orange Juice and some bread that was sweet but not sweet. It was nice. I think the real food challenge will be today in Xela. Apparently no one speaks English there so it will be a crazy culture shock. I better get ready to head to Xela and maybe I may be able to write tonight or tomorrow.
Love lots. 786 Carpe Diem.
3 comments:
Hi Shabana,
This time I reached your blog. I've been reading all your back comments. It sounds like you're on a wonderful adventure--of the spirit and mind as well as of the body.
If the house will take longer to build than you'll be there, has it already been started, or will another group come to finish it? Do you know if it will resist mudslides as well as earthquakes? I understand that mudslides can occur there both as a result of earthquakes and of hurricanes. It's hard to think of someplace so beautiful as dangerous. I'm glad you're there to make a difference.
Email me when you get back, if you'll be in Lethbridge, & we'll go out for coffee instead of waiting until term starts. I'll be here until 25 July (though I expect to be really busy for a few days before that) and will be back by 10 August. I'm going to Portugal for a conference. I've never been there, so I'm quite excited.
Houses are in my life right now, too. I've been renting the same house for 12 years, but now my landlord wants to sell it. I'm buying it, but now I'm going through all the complexities of house buying and arranging for the many repairs that need doing. It's a good thing it's not a Habitat house; the only thing I can do with a hammer is hit my own thumb!
Carpe diem!
Maureen
Thank you for sharing your journey! I LOVE reading your blogs. Tell Ann to keep up her journal :-))
Audrey (Ann's Mom)
i read the last two! sounds like your having lots of fun
miss you though! <3
sania.
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