A Home for Hector

This year, we went to Guatemala - two San Francisco moms and our daughters- to build a home for a family in need, with an organization called From Houses to Homes (De Casas a Hogares) .  The mission of From Houses to Homes is to help lift Guatemalan families out of poverty by providing them - many of whom live in corn husk or corrugated tin homes which offer little protection from the elements - with a solidly built home.  We worked with another family - a grandfather and his grandson - and two wonderful Guatemalan workers - one of whom is Hector Lopez.

Hector has been with From Houses to Homes for seven years and has built over 200 homes for Guatemalan families. When we asked him why the organization has not built him a home yet he reminded us that all families that receive homes must prove that they own their land, and since Hector does not own his land he does not qualify.

Hector makes about $390 a month.  The price of a parcel of land in Guatemala, within an hour of Antigua where he works, is approximately $9000.   He's had several financial setbacks, including an illness of one of his children and a recent hernia operation himself.  As the sole provider for his family of four, he is unable to save money toward buying land.   Without help, he'll be stuck in the cycle of helping others without getting the lift he needs to help his family realize their dreams.

Hector is married with two children.  He is 30 years old. His wife, Maritza, is 22.  They have two children, Geovany aged 5, and Celeste, aged 2.   They live in a highland village about an hour from Antigua, in a one-room, rented tin shack with a dirt floor. Maritiza dreams of to going back to school to become a nurse. Geovany is a kindergarten student who loves to paint and draw.  Celeste helps her mother every day with keeping up their house.

We very much want to raise the money to finally get Hector a home of his own.  We are looking to raise $9,000 for land and building materials. Please help us make this dream a reality!