NICARAGUA the dream of owning a house n the Primero de Mayo neighborhood in When she heard about a Habitat for Humanity Later, we bought this land. My Estelí, Nicaragua, a humble dwelling stood, Nicaragua housing project, Claribel rushed husband bought the land in two I made of pieces of wood, cardboard, and iron to submit the necessary documents to payments. At the time, we built roo昀椀ng sheets. This was the home of Claribel, participate. She was noti昀椀ed about her 39, a mother of three children aged 18, 12, and 6. selection on August 13, 2020. With a heart full the shack with pieces of plastic. of joy, she 昀椀rst thanked God. Today, thank God, we have our In 2011, her husband suddenly became ill. He was diagnosed with severe renal failure, and “Joyous, I said: Thank you, Lord, house and it’s made with cement within a month, he died. “The doctors told me his kidneys dried, and there was nothing to do,” for you have given me a great blocks,” said Claribel. said Claribel. blessing. I now have a decent During the 昀椀rst days of widowhood, her family home to live in with my children. supported her as much as possible, but When I got married, my husband then she had to start working to support her children and take them to school. Today, she and I lived in my mother-in- earns money washing, ironing, and cleaning law’s house; we then rented. houses to ensure her children don’t miss a meal and get an education. PAGE. 30 habitat.org/lac