MIL CASAS PROJECT: CASA NUMERO DOS

"Don't judge a book by it's cover." - George Eliot

Or a home by it's front door.

Almost every home in Guatemala is hidden behind a tall wall and door.  As we pass by, we have no real idea what lies behind the door, who lives there or what the home condition might be.  

We are shielded from the reality of the extreme poverty that lies behind.

Meet Rosa.  She lives in Pastores near the Municipal Building at the bottom of a long uphill alleyway. She has a passion for flowers and her family.  Her son, 12-year old daughter, daughter-in-law, and grandchild all live with her in this tight space.  Currently, Rosa does not have a job.  Her son is a day laborer and works as often as he can but work is not consistent.

Unfortunately, like most developing nations, education is not a priority.  It is not free; families must pay for tuition, books, supplies, and uniforms.  Rosa understands the importance of it, but she does not have the resources to further her daughter's education.  When we made our first home visit, Rosa sadly told us this would likely be her 12-year old daughter's last year of school unless she quickly found a job to help support the family.

What is the cost to send a child to school in Guatemala?  The average is about $30 a month.  That doesn't sound like a lot but when daily wages are $2 - $4 a day, it doesn't leave much for extras. And school is an extra.  Food, housing, and water must come first.

There's so much hope though.

Last night, Rosa and her family slept in their new home.  After Rosa expressed immense gratitude for her home, stove, water filter, bed and staple items, she shared her plan with us.  She hopes to save every penny that would normally go towards those items, to send her daughter to school.  Her new stove will cut her wood fuel in half, and when teams come, we'll make sure they assist the family's medical needs, which will hopefully allow them to save enough to send her daughter to 7th grade next year.

This is hope.  This is how our great, big, faithful God works.

Rosa's old home.

This is where the entire family slept before they received their new bunk beds.

The kitchen area.

Future space for their new home.

Rosa helps her daughter-in-law take care of her 4-month old.

Fruit Cove Mission Team putting the finishing touches on the home.

Thank you Fruit Cove Team for bringing hope to this family in a tangible way.  We will continue to build upon our relationship as we watch them rely on God for their needs.