Guatemala Trip 2015: Building Houses in Guatemala 101

Today we built four houses. We split into two teams and each built one house in the morning and one house in the afternoon. I thought I would explain a little bit how we make the houses.

How to Build a House in Four Hours or Less

AOJ sends out a social work prior to our arrival in order to decide what families will get a house. In order to qualify, they have to own the land their home is on. If they don't own the land and we build a house, the property owner is more likely to kick them out as a house adds value.

After it is decided who is receiving a house, Julio starts to build to the pieces. Shortly before we are building, the pieces are delivered to the home. The families have to pour their own cement pad. Once that is all sorted out, we arrive and start to build the house.

Step One: Get all of the men (or women who can lift heavy things)

Step Two: Assuming you are one of the people who do not lift heavy things (like me), watch them move the houses pieces from the street to the cement pad. After this point, things start hapenning all at once.

We need 42 bolts with two washers on them. On each of the nine pieces for the house exterior, three bolts with washers are needed. They are then hammered in to hold the pieces together.

Next, you need to add one washer followed with a nut onto the bolt. Then you get to use the drill to tighten all the nuts and bolts and things. After this is done, the four walls (with two windows and a door) are all secured together.

At this point, the people who know what they are actually doing start to make sure the house is lined up correctly with the cement foundation. They bring out the measuring tapes and start adjusting the walls so they align with the cement pad as best as possible. Depending on how strong the people are and how hard the cement is, nails are either hammered or drilled into the cement pad to keep the house in place.

While all of that is happening, the house is starting to get painted. Most of the houses are blue on the bottom half and grey on top. Yesterday our momma for the house wanted to have all of the walls completely blue with grey doors and windows as well as trim. We give them a choice as to what their home is to look like. Most of the homes we have built so far are in tight quarters. They like to keep the old house for a kitchen, an extra bedroom or for another family to move in to. Depending on where the house is on the property depends on how many sides of the house are painted.

The next house building step is install the support beams for the roof. Once those are all in place, the excess drywall is sawed off the top.

Next comes the tin roof. If you happen to be inside the house painting at this time, it is incredibly loud and kind of terriyfing. The people on the roof are hammering away, and every time they move, the tin roof makes a creaking noise and it sounds like it might cave in.

The only other structure left to install are the two small walls inside the house that make the house into two small rooms. Those get painted as well.

Once the trim is on the doors and windows and everything is painted, we sweep the floor. It is extremely dusty in there! Then we get to dedicate the house to the families. We explain to them that the house is theirs, pray for them, and give them gifts. Each child gets a blanket made by the older ladies from the church. Each family member gets a personalized gift bag just for them. We have Otto translating for our throughout the dedication. We nail a sign up in their home with their name on it, as well as a cross.

After that, we pack up and go do it all over again at a different house! The families have brought us food and water. Seeing their homes and how little they have, you realize how big of a gift that is for them. Kids from the neighbourhood come out and watch us build. We have slippers and dolls knitted by some ladies in Calgary that we can give them, as well as small toys and hats. They are so grateful for everything that we are doing.

I've added a few pictures (although most of them are on cameras and can't be added) to give you a little glimpse of what we are seeing throughout the day!

-Leah

Heidy, Jefferson and Derek in their new home

Len and Jefferson. Jefferson helped us the entire afternoon. He painted the house, ran around trying to help drill things, and he helped Len hammer the frames around the windows he was so proud that he could help build his new house.