Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Guatemala is experiencing a housing deficit of more than 1.7 million. Currently, 32% of Guatemalans have inadequate or no latrines, and 52% suffer from respiratory illnesses linked to smoke inhalation. This is largely because 90% of rural households still cook over open fires inside their homes.

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity Guatemala has worked on over 165,000 housing projects and has since reduced the country’s housing deficit by 8.49%. Habitat continues to respond to the high housing demand on multiple fronts by supporting housing finance, home construction and latrine and smokeless stove installations.

Habitat volunteers will assist building contractors and local volunteers to construct new hybrid homes, install smokeless stoves, latrines or concrete floors.

Some of the construction tasks include:   

• Digging foundations.
• Mixing concrete and mortar.
• Pouring concrete.
• Tying rebar.
• Erect walls.

Volunteers will stay in double-occupancy rooms at a hotel. Single-occupancy rooms are available by request for an additional charge. Please contact your team leader to request a single-occupancy room. Meals will vary slightly from day to day. Breakfast will be provided at the hotel. Lunches will be served on the build site on workdays and dinner will be at the hotel, local restaurant or arranged by the country program.
 

Lauren Cantrell is a true Habitat lifer. She first discovered Habitat through volunteering with her campus chapter in 2008 and has been involved ever since — through AmeriCorps, a local affiliate and now Habitat for Humanity International. She has led Global Village builds to China, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Argentina and Brazil. To learn more about this build, please contact Lauren at [email protected].