Kinha welcomes us into his father’s home, a place that holds special meaning for him. It is where he has found hope after losing everything in the 2024 floods that struck Asa Branca, in Porto Alegre. The past few years have not been easy. Kinha had to stop working because of a knee condition, the family lost their home during the disaster, and a wound on his father’s leg worsened due to diabetes, ultimately leading to an amputation.

Our program in Brazil worked with Kinha to improve his father’s home, where he now serves as his primary caregiver. His testimony in the 16 Voices project speaks of dedication, care, and commitment. At the end of this journey, hope shines through. Kinha has already been selected for a home improvement program of his own. Soon, he will not only have the satisfaction of seeing his father living in better conditions, but he will also regain a home of his own.

After his mother passed away, Kinha’s father, Vilmar, came to live in the house. He contributed some money to make a few improvements and relied on a small pension to help cover expenses. However, not long after he arrived, tragedy struck.

The floods 

“It started on a Saturday. I’ll never forget it, you know? There’s no way to forget. I don’t think anyone ever does. It wasn’t just any house. It was a good home. We used this entire space here.

I remember that at seven in the morning, my sister came to the gate, called me, and said, ‘Get all your things out!’ But everything looked normal. It was like sitting here, opening the gate, and seeing everyday life going on just as usual. She came and told me that, and I said no.

About five years earlier, there had already been a flood here, when the Feijó Creek levee broke. But back then, the water only reached that little gate over there. It was just a thin layer of water. In my mind, and I think everyone thought the same thing, this time would be no different. I told her, ‘No, the water won’t get here. I’m not leaving. It can’t happen.’

She came once. Then she came a second time, and I still didn’t believe her. The third time she came, she was already desperate. That’s when I went to the gate.

When I got there, it looked like a war scene. I could see people running. They were coming from uphill and running in that direction. But at that moment, I still couldn’t see any water.

When I stepped outside the gate and looked toward the corner leading to the community hall, I saw something surreal. I think that even if I live another hundred years, I’ll never be able to explain it. My sister said again, ‘Get your things out. Can’t you see the water is coming?’ [...] There was no time. No time at all. It was unbelievable.

When I saw the water approaching, I thought, ‘What am I going to do?’ So I started lifting everything. I put bricks underneath things and raised the refrigerator. I did it all by myself. [...] By the time I finished lifting everything, the water was already at the gate [...]. The only time that had passed was the time it took me to look toward the corner. There had been nothing there, and suddenly the water was already at the gate.

Since I had raised everything, I went up to my sister’s house. By then, there was already a crowd of people there. Of course, it was mostly people from the lower part of the community who had already been affected.

My sister asked me, ‘Where are your things?’ I replied, ‘I only lifted them.’ She said, ‘No, you have to take them out. You have to get them out.’ I answered, ‘No, I’m not taking them out. The water won’t rise that much.

[...] And then we lost everything. Everything, everything, everything, everything, everything. By the time I reached higher ground, the water had already passed the little market down there. It all happened so fast. It was so surreal that there’s no way to explain it. There just isn’t.

It was like a flood surge moving slowly, you know? The kind of flash floods we usually see on television come fast. This flood was like a slow-moving surge, creeping forward little by little, but... people didn’t believe it. The water just kept rising.

[...] After that, there was nothing left to do. Everything was flooded. I would come back here by boat to check on the house. Even in the middle of all that tragedy, people were still breaking into homes and stealing, you know? So we came by boat. The boat passed right over that fence there, our fence.”

His father’s illness

After the flood, Kinha and his father sought refuge in a small house Vilmar owned near the beach. They remained there for three months while waiting for the waters to recede. Their home, located on low-lying ground, had been completely submerged. Later, they moved into Kinha’s sister’s house. The building had two stories, and the upper floor survived the disaster.

Their original home was left in very poor condition after the flood, and the family would return periodically to clean and remove debris. During one of these cleanup efforts, Vilmar injured himself and developed a blister in an area already affected by diabetes.

For a month and a half, the hospital became their new home. By that time, Kinha had already left his job at a bus company because a knee condition prevented him from remaining seated for long periods. Although he had hoped to use that time to rest while waiting for surgery, that was not possible. Instead, he found himself caring for his father, placing even greater strain on his own health.

Let’s open the door to a new home

With the support of Aline, who was involved in a Habitat project, Kinha and his father began the application process for a home. The family had already started rebuilding Vilmar’s house, but only the unfinished structure was in place.

The work still to be done

Although his father’s situation has improved, Kinha continues to live in the house that was destroyed by the floods.

Toward the end of the interview, Kinha enthusiastically tells us that hope has also arrived for him. He has been selected for the program, and improvements to his home will begin soon.

Together, we build new opportunities

Kinha is one of the 16 Voices representing us as Habitat for Humanity marks its 50th anniversary. His story reflects inclusion, resilience, and strong family values. Let’s open the door to hope for Kinha and many other families. If you would like to support our work in Brazil, you can donate or contact us to explore opportunities for your company to get involved.

Versión en español

Life without a home of their own

For most of her life, Bianca and her family lived in rented homes. Her mother and father worked hard to give their children the best they could, but this meant they were unable to spend much time with them. The homes they could afford did not meet their needs. As the weather changed in Paraguay, they endured periods of extreme heat and cold.

Bianca and her younger brother, Sebastián, lived with the uncertainty of not knowing when they might have to move again. Their mother worked, and so did their father. He worked far away, and they did not have a place where they could feel safe and at peace.

The location of the homes they rented prevented them from living close to their relatives, so they had no support network nearby. As the older sister, Bianca took on the responsibility of caring for her brother to support her parents while they were at work.

You’re going to have a home

Freddy, Bianca’s father, works for TOCSA S.A., a company that partners with us in Paraguay through a project called Umbral. This initiative enables employees of partner companies to access housing solutions under preferential terms. When Bianca heard from her father that he had been selected, she could hardly believe it.

The promise soon became a reality. Freddy successfully completed the selection process and received approval to build his house. In addition to the special terms offered by the program, TOCSA S.A. donated to support the construction of this house and that of another employee.

New opportunities through a change of environment

Our research has shown that housing stability helps children remain in school. Bianca is one of the young people whose education has been affected by the lack of suitable living conditions. While her family was going through financial hardship, she had to put her studies on hold because of transportation costs. Having a home of their own near educational institutions will allow her to return to school.

In her new enviroment, Bianca feels more supported. She has relatives nearby who can help her, and her father is by her side. She feels at ease knowing that their payments and investments in the house are going toward something of their own. She has also noticed that her brother is happier now that his cousins are nearby, to the point that he sometimes even dares to be a little more rebellious, something he did not feel comfortable doing before. These changes motivate Bianca and remind her that her efforts have made a difference because she has helped someone close to her.

Together, we build security to grow

At thirteen, Bianca reminds us of the impact our work has on new generations. Her story represents children and adolescents in the 16 Voices project, a celebration of our fiftieth anniversary through the Let’s Open the Door campaign. Across the region, we change lives by providing people with a safe place to grow.

While Bianca’s message offers hope to young people who are still waiting for a decent home, our message to you is a call to action: become part of the support that makes it possible. Together, let’s turn Bianca’s words into reality. If you would like to support Habitat in Paraguay with a donation, you can do so through this link. If your company would like to support initiatives like this one in Paraguay or across Latin America and the Caribbean, contact us. We have many opportunities for you to get involved. Your contribution can make a difference and will remain in the hearts of families.

Versión en español

In Peru, Habitat for Humanity works through partners with the courage and enthusiasm to identify the gaps that prevent access to adequate housing and help families achieve their dream of having a home. Orlando Ardito, general manager of the Association of International Electrical Products Companies (EPEI Peru), joins 16 Voices on behalf of the partners working on projects that seek to influence the social housing market and open up new opportunities. 

Electrical installations at risk

The conversation with Orlando focuses on a very tangible and critical problem: informality. In Peru, 70% of the electrical products imported into and sold in the country are illegal. These materials do not meet the minimum quality standards required to ensure users’ safety. In addition, 30% of these products are counterfeit, meaning that not only do they fail to meet minimum requirements, but they also violate intellectual property rights and mislead consumers. This means that families living in these homes face constant danger.

The birth of the Partnership

In Peru, Habitat for Humanity, through the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, has conducted several studies on incremental construction. These studies have enabled us to map the long journey families undertake to build a home. The process can take up to 30 years and cost as much as three times more than completing the construction in a single phase. Moreover, the use of unsuitable materials means that the finished home often does not meet the desired quality standards.

Although Orlando and his organization were already familiar with Habitat, the relationship grew stronger following an event at the University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) more than three years ago. The meetings that followed led to the Red Power pilot project. It began with initial data collection activities to determine how best to reach families on the urban outskirts of Metropolitan Lima and help them improve their electrical installations using quality products.

A project bringing quality solutions to Peruvian families 

Red Power is a collaborative model involving EPEI Peru, the Terwilliger Center, design and construction companies, and financial institutions. It seeks to transform access to safe electrical solutions for families who build their homes incrementally.

The project brings together suppliers, technical specialists, social organizations and financial institutions to provide families with a comprehensive solution that combines:

• Certified materials

• Professional installation

• Electrical safety education

• Technical assistance

• Access to financing for home improvements

The goal is to turn an improvement that would normally be carried out informally into a planned, safe and affordable investment.

Our experience has shown us that families, regardless of their socioeconomic status, want an adequate, safe and durable home. They are also able to repay financing tailored to their needs to achieve this goal.

Quality products help families save money

Our research has shown that adequate housing helps families save money, contributing to their financial stability. This also applies to electrical systems. When quality products are combined with professional installation, families benefit from electrical systems that last longer and experience fewer failures. Although the initial cost may be higher, families save money in the long run because they do not need to pay for additional labor to make repairs or replace components frequently.

Working together

Orlando recognizes the value of the partnership with Habitat in two ways. First, the use of agile and experimental methodologies has enabled them to design pilot projects that respond to people’s needs. Second, Habitat has connected them with partners that can contribute to their goals, such as microfinance institutions capable of providing loans to families that need to improve their electrical installations.

Together, we scale our impact

Although EPEI Peru is focusing its efforts on electrical safety, Orlando recognizes opportunities to develop similar projects with other stakeholders in the industry. Cement, bricks and steel also face challenges related to counterfeit or low-quality materials, even though these products are vital to the structural integrity of families’ homes.

About EPEI Peru

EPEI Peru is a trade association representing companies responsible for 65% of the electrical products imported and marketed in Peru. It works to prevent the risks associated with faulty electrical installations by addressing standards and regulatory frameworks. It also supports innovation, emerging technologies and good practices among electrical product companies.

As part of its mission, EPEI Peru promotes the development of a safe, innovative and sustainable electrical sector by strengthening technical standards and regulatory frameworks, enhancing market competitiveness, generating knowledge and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, thereby contributing to the country’s sustainable development.

Versión en español

“The only thing I could do was get my daughter to safety,” Manuel thought when the flooding caused by Hurricanes Eta and Iota swept away his home in November 2020. At the time, his daughter Raquel was only four years old and entirely in his care, as she remains today. Now, his voice joins 15 others from a place of hope: his new home in the Brisas de Omoa community in northern Honduras. His testimony reflects Habitat for Humanity’s approach to post-disaster recovery.

In the eye of the hurricanes

When the hurricanes struck, Manuel was living in the Ortega community in Omoa. In addition to being a devoted father, he was a community leader, so his first concern was helping his neighbors. At first, the floods, locally known as llenas, a term used to describe the rising of the river, did not directly affect his home. The first caused no damage. During the second, an earthen embankment gave way. The third brought down another, much larger embankment. By the fourth, landslides had put his home at risk. The fifth brought tragedy: the river overflowed, and the water rushed down with such force that it swept away several homes. Seven houses were completely destroyed and left uninhabitable. Manuel’s was one of them.

In addition to the terror of the moment, Manuel feared for his daughter, Raquel. She has been entirely in his care since she was six months old and has become the driving force in his life. After the disaster, she was deeply frightened and remained in a state of shock. Concerned about the possible lasting effects, Manuel closely monitored her emotional well-being. Over time, Raquel gradually regained her spirits and began to feel better. However, the loss of their belongings and their home made it difficult for Manuel to provide her with the same quality of life they had enjoyed before.

Life after the storm

After losing their home, Manuel and his daughter began a long journey without a place to call their own. They spent nearly six months in a temporary shelter set up in a school, followed by another six months in a home someone lent them. Without a home of their own, they were forced to rent, but the added expense made it difficult to meet the family’s other basic needs.

Unable to continue paying rent, Manuel moved to the countryside. There, he found work as a caretaker on a piece of land, which temporarily provided him with a place to live without having to pay rent. He remained in this situation for several years, until Habitat for Humanity launched a project that would give him a new opportunity.

A ray of sunshine amid the rain

Even after losing his own home, Manuel continued advocating for the families in his community. Many had also been left without homes after the hurricanes. Although they reached out to various organizations and authorities for assistance, their efforts did not lead to tangible results for some time.

Later, Manuel spoke with the mayor, whom he had approached for support on several previous occasions. That was when he received the news:

When he heard the news, Manuel jumped for joy. An interview was scheduled at the home where he was living at the time to begin the process. From that moment on, a new path of hope opened before him. Manuel was overjoyed, and his happiness doubled when he realized that his daughter shared in his excitement.

Manuel emotionally recalls the moment he received his new home in March 2026. The handover took place during an event attended by community members and the mayor. It was a deeply moving occasion, and many of those present were brought to tears.

A new life

Manuel and Raquel’s new home is part of the Safe Housing for Families Vulnerable to Climate Change project, implemented in Omoa, Cortés, in northern Honduras. Through the initiative, 32 homes were built for an equal number of families who, like Manuel’s, needed a safe place to live after losing everything during the hurricanes.

The homes were built through a joint effort by Habitat for Humanity, the local government, other humanitarian organizations and the community itself. Habitat provided the building materials, while the families contributed labor. Among the people who benefited from the project are many whom Manuel calls friends and neighbors and who, at last, have a place to call home.

With a decent home, Manuel can now devote more resources to his daughter’s education and to growing his business selling ice cream and dairy products. He also lives in a safe community, where he can leave his motorcycle, his main work tool, outside with the peace of mind that it is secure. In his new surroundings, he has also strengthened his relationships with his neighbors and developed a true sense of community.

Manuel’s story illustrates the challenges faced by those who lose their homes, but also the hope of finding a new place to call home and the joy of finally having one. As we mark our 50th anniversary, his voice joins the celebration of the Let’s Open the Door campaign. If you would like to support this project in Honduras, please donate through this link. You can also contact us to explore opportunities to collaborate as an individual or through your company.

Versión en español

When Juan Pablo was building his house, he made a special effort to turn the bathroom into a pleasant space. In his own words, the bathroom in the place where he used to live reminded him of Shrek’s swamp, the home of the ogre from DreamWorks’ film franchise. Today, his voice comes to us from the house that once existed only in his dreams but has now become a reality. He and his mother, María del Carmen, can proudly call themselves homeowners. His story represents the families who have worked side by side with us to build and pay for their homes, people who simply needed an opportunity to open the door.

The Dream of Homeownership

In several countries around the world, we provide mortgage loans to families in need of adequate housing. It was a friend of Juan Pablo’s, who lives in the United States, who first told him about this opportunity and encouraged him to reach out to Habitat for Humanity. Becoming homeowners was a dream shared by Juan Pablo and his mother. Although she had purchased a piece of land years earlier, they had not yet built on it. In San Bartolomé Milpas Altas, Guatemala, and with support from the Building Together program, they were able to construct their home.

Homeownership is about much more than having a physical asset. It is also a source of self-esteem and personal fulfillment. As Juan Pablo explains:

Improved Living Conditions

For Juan Pablo, the greatest challenge of not having a home of his own was the lack of freedom it imposed. He could not make changes or invest in improvements that would enhance his quality of life. The roof was inadequate, yet there was nothing they could do about it. In addition, their home was located in a noisy area and frequently experienced water shortages.

As the time to move into their new house approached, Juan Pablo and his mother could hardly wait. Now, in a space that belongs to them, they feel motivated to keep investing in their home and their future.

A Loan as an Opportunity to Own a Home

Our offices in Guatemala offer a range of housing models and payment plans designed to be inclusive of families who face barriers to accessing traditional financing. We provide fixed-rate mortgages with terms of up to twelve years and offer twelve different housing models tailored to a variety of needs. Through our offices located throughout the country, we focus on delivering quality service and personalized support to these families.

The loan also includes guidance throughout every stage of the construction process. At Habitat, we value not only the completion of a home but also ensuring that it meets the quality standards needed to become a safe and adequate place for a family to live.

For Juan Pablo, the construction process became one of the greatest joys of his life. He tells us that he still treasures the photos from the beginning of the project and remembers how he gradually built relationships with the construction workers. Once the house was completed, he hosted a barbecue for them as a gesture of gratitude for helping make the dream of his heart come true. For him, building the home was also a learning experience, supported every step of the way by Habitat’s experts.

Our affordable housing loan program operates in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Paraguay. It serves a segment of the population that can afford a mortgage but is often excluded from conventional housing finance due to high monthly payments, restrictive requirements, or excessively long repayment periods. These efforts recognize that, with hard work, responsibility, and access to good opportunities, families can improve their housing conditions and, in turn, their quality of life. 

The funds generated through these mortgages allow us to continue lending to other families and to help finance programs that serve people living in extreme poverty. In this way, we maintain the spirit of a nonprofit organization while operating a strong and sustainable model that can continue creating impact over time.

Let’s Open the Door to Opportunity

In Guatemala, Habitat for Humanity helps a family achieve homeownership every five minutes. Juan Pablo’s voice speaks on behalf of the many families who have found hope through this service and have been able to build the future they dreamed of. Let’s open open the door to opportunity for these families. If you are interested in supporting our work in Guatemala, you can help through a donation or by contacting us to explore opportunities for collaboration, either personally or through your company.

Versión en español

Ángela Beatriz welcomes us into her childhood home in Isidro Casanova, La Matanza, Argentina. She has lived in this area for 69 years, her entire life. The living room where our interview takes place is part of the family home her parents created. From the outset, she makes it clear that, for her, the conversation is centered on one thing: family.

The Bathroom Improvement

Ángela began her life in this house but moved away when she got married. After her husband passed away, she returned to her childhood home, where she now lives with her 96-year-old mother and her two brothers. Luis Alberto, the youngest, helped arrange the home’s bathroom improvement through Cooperativa Transformadora, a partner organization of Habitat for Humanity. 

Before the intervention, the toilet and sink were in poor condition. The new sink allows them to wash more comfortably, although further improvements are still needed. Ángela would like the bathroom to have tiled walls and floors so she can feel more comfortable. For her, the bathroom:

Our study of the Cheers to water program in Paraguay has shown that bathroom improvements produce tangible benefits for families. Respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses and infections decrease by 30%, while the need for medical care and medication is reduced by half. This also generates economic benefits, as families save approximately 8% of their average income on healthcare expenses.

The Meaning of Home

Ángela’s parents instilled in her the importance of siblings staying united to move forward and thrive. That spirit motivates her to maintain and continue improving her home.

A Voice for Family Legacy

Ángela’s voice resonates from Argentina, representing all families whose homes embody a hard-earned legacy passed down from generation to generation. Her voice joins the celebration of our 50th anniversary through the Let’s Open the Door campaign. If you are interested in supporting this project in Argentina, donate through this link. You can also contact us to explore opportunities to collaborate individually or through your company.

Versión en español

A home should be a place where children can find the protection and shelter they need. With this in mind, VisionFund Mexico and Habitat for Humanity, through the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, work in partnership to create financing opportunities for families who need to improve their homes. As part of Habitat for Humanity’s 50th anniversary, Jonathan González, Business and Marketing Manager at our partner organization, serves as the voice representing Mexico and our partners in the financial sector. His testimony puts a human face on our efforts: children and adolescents who need a safe home in which to grow and thrive.

A Financial Institution Working to Improve Children’s Lives

Jonathan welcomes us to the VisionFund Mexico office, where motivational messages and photographs of clients decorate the walls. The organization is part of World Vision International, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children. While World Vision focuses on social assistance, VisionFund operates as a financial institution committed to advancing financial inclusion for families who have been excluded from the traditional banking system. Its goal is to help ensure that its clients’ children have access to health care, education, adequate housing, and, ultimately, the opportunity to live with dignity. 

For Jonathan, his eighteen years with the organization represent a connection that goes far beyond finance and numbers. He pauses for a moment as he reflects on the camaraderie of his team and remembers a colleague who sadly passed away the previous week. The painful memory does nothing to diminish his enthusiasm. With a broad smile, he emphasizes that joining the organization was a calling to serve. 

Our Partnership

In 2012, VisionFund Mexico partnered with Habitat for Humanity for the first time on the development of a housing-related study in Mexico. In 2022, the relationship was renewed through a connection with the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, one of Habitat for Humanity’s specialized units.

At the time, VisionFund was exploring the development of a financial product focused on home improvement, and Habitat for Humanity was able to provide the technical expertise needed to support the initiative. As a result of this collaboration, the Hogar con Visión (Visionary Home) financial product is now available to families seeking to improve their homes. 

We Build Homes Step by Step, Hand in Hand with Families

Seventy percent of VisionFund Mexico’s clients own a home that does not meet adequate living conditions and requires improvements. To address this need, VisionFund Mexico offers progressive home improvement loans. 

Jonathan refers to the example of Yolanda, one of VisionFund Mexico’s clients at the Córdoba, Veracruz branch, who owned a home that was not in optimal condition. Through three loan cycles, Yolanda improved her home and has become an inspiration for the project.

Access to Credit as a Pillar of Adequate Housing

Habitat for Humanity has studied the issue of incremental construction and the lack of access to credit. In Mexico, nearly 28 million homes have been built using this approach; however, only 4% have been able to access private financing. In this challenge, VisionFund Mexico identified a business opportunity.

This partner shares our view that an improved home is not only a place to live, but also an opportunity to improve families’ health, education, and economic development.

One of VisionFund Mexico’s key learnings throughout this process has been understanding the value that a home holds for families. It is not just about owning a material asset, but also about improving it so that it meets adequate conditions and, once it is in the family’s hands, protecting it for the future.

Together, We Build Financial Inclusion

Our partnership with VisionFund Mexico is just one example of the work we do to reduce barriers to adequate housing. Through the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, we seek partners who are eager to understand the base-of-the-pyramid sector and support them in positioning their products and services in these markets. When opportunities to build better homes increase, everyone benefits.

As we mark our 50th anniversary, Jonathan’s voice represents our partners in the financial sector who are working to create more opportunities. His testimony joins the other 16 voices featured in our global Let’s Open the Door campaign.

If you or your organization share a passion for impact and for finding common causes across our differences, we have many opportunities and projects that may interest you. Explore our proposals on the website or contact us.

Versión en español

“No one should be left unserved” is the emblematic phrase and enduring legacy of Father Rafael García Herreros, founder of The Minute of God Organization Corporation (Corporación Organizacion El Minuto de Dios, in Spanish), one of our partners in Colombia. For more than seventy years, every day at 7:00 p.m., just before the evening news, The Minute of God has been broadcast. This inspirational program gave rise to The Minute of God Organization Corporation, a Colombian humanitarian organization. Our interviewee, Raúl José Buitrago, serves as the organization’s General Manager.

A Pro Bono Project That Opened Doors

Raúl welcomes us at the library of The Minute of God University. In fact, it was a pro bono project to create a guarantee fund for students applying for educational loans that first brought him to the organization. Following this contribution, he was selected as the Corporation’s General Manager, a position he has held for the past year and eight months. 

Habitat for Humanity and The Minute of God Organization Corporation

Raúl’s early days at The Minute of God Organization Corporation were closely linked to Habitat for Humanity. Just two days after taking on the role of General Manager, he traveled with representatives from our organization to La Mojana, a region that had recently been affected by severe flooding. Together with two other partner organizations, we took on the challenge of carrying out housing improvement projects in the area.

The partnership, however, had begun years earlier through joint efforts to support the reconstruction of Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and the organization of our first Regional Housing Forum. In 2022, when The Minute of God Organization Corporation set a goal of carrying out 100,000 housing improvements across the country, an opportunity emerged to build on Habitat for Humanity’s 100,000 Floors to Play On campaign. The Minute of God Organization Corporation improves bathrooms, kitchens, and floors, with flooring being the component addressed through the partnership.

We have completed nearly 900 home improvement projects together in regions such as:

• La Mojana

• La Guajira

• Olaya Herrera, Cartagena

• Comuna 13, Medellin

• Ciudad Bolivar, Bogota

• Usme, Bogota

• Pibu, Santandera

Impact Through Stories

Beyond the impact reflected in numbers, Raúl has witnessed firsthand the needs of the people we serve. In La Mojana, he met an older woman who made a living raising pigs. Because of the conditions in which she lived, she was forced to keep the animal inside her home. When the team arrived to carry out the intervention, the woman’s main concern was not losing her pig, as it was her source of income. As a result, adjustments were made so that both she and the animal could remain in a safe space while the home improvement work was underway. Once the project was completed, the house had a concrete floor, and an outdoor area for keeping animals had been set up.

Raúl also shared how, in Comuna 13, construction materials had to be transported through extraordinary effort:

The Relevance of Partnerships

Raúl emphasizes the importance of partnerships as a vehicle for successfully transforming people’s living conditions. He compares the multiplying impact of The Minute of God Organization Corporation to the miracle of the loaves and fishes, noting that throughout its more than seventy years of history, the organization has been able to work alongside partners such as ours. It is precisely this ability to bring different actors together that connects our organizations and enables us to support communities.

United for the Cause of Decent Housing

When we asked Raúl what home means, he referred us to its etymological connection to the fire. It is that warm space where people celebrate joys, share what happened during the day and also let go of sadness. That is precisely what we build together.

Raúl is one of the 16 voices representing us on Habitat for Humanity’s 50th anniversary. His testimony shows us that through coordination and joint work, we can have a greater impact. Across Latin America and the Caribbean, our organization works with partners such as The Minute of God Organization Corporation to impact lives. If you or your company would like to be part of this multiplying effect, contact us.

Versión en español

The new millennium had only just begun when Ernesto Castro embarked on the adventure of working with Habitat for Humanity, unaware that this decision would take him around the world and give him a global, multicultural perspective on the housing challenge. After twenty-six years of service, and now serving as Area Vice President, Ernesto joins the 16 Voices that exemplify our work across the region. His story reflects the spirit of Habitat’s staff throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, with a special connection to Costa Rica, his home country and the location of our Area Office.

26 Years of Service to the Cause of Decent Housing

Ernesto learned about Habitat for Humanity through a university classmate who worked as an assistant to one of the organization’s directors. He joined a disaster response project focused on addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in Central America.

In 2004, Ernesto was selected to manage one of the construction sites for the Carter Work Project in Mexico, relocating there with his wife. That same year, the devastating tsunami struck Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and other countries. Habitat was seeking experienced staff to support its disaster response efforts, and Ernesto was invited to participate.

That marked the beginning of a journey through multiple projects across the region, eventually leading Ernesto back to his home country, this time as Area Vice President.

Ernesto’s International Journey

• 2000: Hurricane Mitch response from the Area Office in Costa Rica

• 2004: Carter Work Project in Mexico

• 2005: Tsunami response in southern Thailand

• 2006: Carter Work Project in India

• 2007: Asia-Pacific Area Office, Bangkok, Thailand

• 2013: Asia-Pacific Area Office, Manila, Philippines

• 2019: Latin America and the Caribbean Area Office, Costa Rica

Habitat Across Regions and Through Time

Ernesto’s experience across these regions has given him a deep understanding of housing needs and how they vary from one context to another. 

Beyond the numbers, cultural factors play a critical role in every country where Habitat works. While supporting tsunami recovery efforts in Thailand, Ernesto and his colleagues noticed that families were not moving into newly completed homes. After asking why, they discovered that families first needed approval from a Buddhist monk to determine whether the timing was auspicious for moving. They also encountered a design challenge rooted in local culture: 

In India, Ernesto witnessed the story of a woman who belonged to one of the country’s lowest castes, the Dalits or “untouchables”. When she received her home, she chose not to enter through the front door and instead walked in through the back entrance. This was because, given her family’s social status, they had never entered a house through the front door, and she was still coming to terms with that new reality. 

The contrast within Habitat is evident not only across different parts of the world, but also throughout its own history. When Ernesto began his career, the organization’s focus was centered on building new homes for families who owned land and were able to pay a mortgage. Over the years, Habitat has expanded its impact and now works on issues such as public policy advocacy, market systems, government relations, and research. 

Leader of the Area Office in Costa Rica

In 2018, the position of Area Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean became available. Encouraged by colleagues within the organization, Ernesto decided to apply and was selected for the role. As a result, he returned to Costa Rica, his home country.

On a personal level, Ernesto remains deeply connected to the stories of families and community-based work. He has had the opportunity to participate in various volunteer activities and learn about countless stories throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Role of Servant Leadership Within Habitat

For Ernesto, Habitat for Humanity’s identity is reflected in its culture of servant leadership. From the very beginning of his journey with the organization, he observed how leaders paid close attention to the needs of staff and were always willing to step in and help with support tasks, such as serving meals during volunteer events. This experience shaped the way he relates to his colleagues.

Ernesto is one of the 16 Voices representing Habitat for Humanity during its 50th anniversary celebration. His testimony reflects the dedication of those of us who work toward decent housing around the world. With that in mind, we asked him what continues to motivate him to move forward with this mission every day. 

If you or your organization share a passion for impact and for finding common ground through our differences, we have many opportunities and projects that may be of interest to you. Explore our initiatives on our website or contact us.

Versión en español