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.
