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The Constru Casa Project improves the living conditions of poor families in Guatemala by offering houses, toilets, stoves and water filters.
Guatemala
Guatemala
is a country in Central America. It is located between Mexico, Honduras,
El Salvador, Belize, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. With Mexico,
Guatemala forms the centre of the ancient Mayan culture.
Guatemala has approximately 13 million inhabitants, of whom at least
60% descend directly from the original Mayan population. The official
language is Spanish, although apart from Spanish there are 22 Indian
languages spoken throughout the country. Approximately 40% of the population
lives in cities.
In Guatemala a high percentage of the population are living under bad economic circumstances. Their income only allows a day-to-day existence – with just enough money for basic necessities. Their living environment is dreadful, as are their health conditions.
According to a report from the COHRE (Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions) in 2003, more than half of the population live in non-suitable 'houses'. A shortage of about 1.5 million houses has been registered. This is in line with the results of research the Guatemala government published in 2005. It has formulated a policy plan with respect to house-building for the next 25 years.
In
addition to the government policy to reduce the shortage of houses,
plans have been made to deal with the consequences of the hurricane
Stan, who caused a lot of damage to the country in October 2005.
Half of the population of Guatemala live in houses made of organic materials
such as adobe (a kind of dried loam) and corn stalks, garbage materials
(cardboard and plastics) and corrugated iron or wood. The floors of
the houses consist of plain earth. This earth regularly changes into
mud due to heavy rainfall and poor drainage.
Often the houses consist of only one room in which people live, cook and sleep. Additionally, dogs, chickens and ducks live in and around the house causing health issues. Toilets and facilities for cooking and washing are generally located outside.
These living conditions are a threat to the health of the people and the development of many families in Guatemala.
