Habitat Guatemala Information

Pacaya's eruption and Storm Agatha causes alarm

During the last week of May, Guatemala has suffered two natural disasters simultaneously: The violent eruption of Pacaya and The Tropical Storm Agatha in the Pacific.

Once again the vulnerability of our country to natural phenomena, is affecting thousands of poor Guatemalan families who have nothing left.

Habitat for Humanity Guatemala in response to the situation facing the country, now is monitoring and assessing the damage. The latest figures on 31 May by the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction provides the following numbers:

For the volcanic eruption of Pacaya the figures are:

3.614 people affected

3 people died

3 missing

59 wounded

2.130 evacuees

2.635 housed

Homes affected: 400

Houses with severe damage: 375

By floods caused by Tropical Storm Agatha:

128.149 people affected

152 people died

100 people missing

87 people injured

124.835 evacuees

64.383 people in shelters

Homes affected: 109.100

Houses with severe damage: 1,680

How we work

Habitat for Humanity Guatemala works for and with families in need of a safe and affordable place to live. Offering more than simply a handout, we support these families and improve their quality of life by facilitating their access to housing while at the same time, requiring their collaboration and commitment to changing their own lives. Our effect is a lasting one, meant to reverberate through generations of each family through the financial skills, security, and pride that result from working with Habitat.

HFH Guatemala has provided more than 30,000 housing solutions nationwide. This has made 2% impact on the housing deficit over 30 years.

Sweat Equity, or Ayuda Mutua

Just as in the States, in Guatemala futur

e Habitat homeowners must contribute their own hard work and time as part of the process of obtaining a home. We call this principle “ayuda mutua,” or in English, “sweat equity.” The idea is to promote cooperation between families in the construction of their homes, and to encourage their prolonged participation in the work of Habitat for Humanity in their local community. Ayuda mutua also helps us reduce the cost of building a home, promoting the principle that by working together, we all benefit. The time and type of collaboration varies in each affiliate and according to the abilities of each family.

Responsible and Transparent Stewardship:

While the average house price this year (2010) is around $4,800 USD, the cost varies according to the situation of each family, including the house design, the location of the house, and the preparation needed, such as retaining walls or leveling, before construction can begin. The loan recovery time i

s typically ten years, with monthly payments usually between Q365 to Q450 ($45 - $55 USD).

Rotative Fund
The monthly homeowners payments are used to build more houses according to the principle of “A House for a House,” meaning that by paying off their home, each Habitat family effectively provides a home for another family in need. Currently, 70% of the funds used to build homes come from the payments of our partner families. These funds are held in an account called the Fund for Humanity. New donations from tithe partners, individuals, Global Village participants, corporations, foundations, or institutions – national and international – represent growth, or brand new families served. We recognize the obligation we have to our partners - be they donors, other Habitat affiliates, volunteers, or partner families - to manage our programs and funds transparently, efficiently, and responsibly. Our success would not be possible without their fabulous support.

About Habitat Guatemala

Habitat for Humanity (HFH) Guatemala facilitates access to adequate housing for families of limited resources by offering non-profit loans to build a new house or improve the home in which they are already living.

HFH Guatemala was founded in 1979, three years after a devastating earthquake ripped across the country. Originally founded by a small group of caring and enthusiastic individuals, HFH Guatemala has since helped approximately 151,000 people in Guatemala live safer, healthier lives in their own homes. This work is the result of the collaboration and contribution between the staff, local and international volunteers, donors, and tithe partners who have blessed us with their support throughout these last 30 years.

HFH Guatemala History

The first home built by HFH Guatemala was dedicated on March 3rd, 1980 for the family of Francisco Mendoza in Aguacatán, Huehuetenango. Francisco still has his Habitat home.

After building about 160 homes in the department of Huehuetenango, local interest prompted the opening of other affiliates, in the departments (geographical states) of Retalhuleu and Sololá. Shortly thereafter, HFH Guatemala opened a national office in Quetzaltenango to support and organize the work of its affiliates and encourage the growth of the organization across Guatemala. To

date HFH Guatemala has 17 offices that cover all 22 geographical departments.

HFH Guatemala Milestones

1979 HFH Guatemala founded.

1980 The first Habitat home is built in Aguacatán, Huehuetenango for Francisco Mendoza and his family.

1993 Government Agreement 425-93 recognizes and legalizes Habitat for Humanity Guatemala as a national non-profit organization.

1994, House 1,000 is dedicated in Cantel, Quetzaltenango.

1998, Affiliate Quetzaltenango House 1,000 is dedicated with the event “Building on Faith”, building 25 houses with the participation of Millard Fuller.

1999, House 5,000 is dedicated in the department of Salamá, Baja Verapaz.

2000, The capital campaign, “More than Houses” starts, with the goal to build 25,000 houses by 2007.

2001, House 10,000 is dedicated in El Rosario, Retalhuleu.

2003, House 15,000 is dedicated in Santa Cruz Balanyá, Chimaltenango.

2006, HFH Guatemala celebrates its 27th anniversary with 17 affiliates and construction in all 22 departments of the country.

2007, HFH Guatemala reaches the its goal of 25,000 families served and House 25,000 is dedicated in Teculután, Zacapa.

2008, Habitat International House 300,001 is built in Cabañas, Zacapa.

2009, In May, Home 30,000 is dedicated in Sigüilá, Quetzaltenango.

HFH Guatemala has built 10% of all Habitat for Humanity houses in the world, thanks to the dedicated volunteers, donors, and staff who share our vision of reducing the housing deficit in Guatemala.