A home is the cornerstone of stability and security, providing a foundation for individuals and families to thrive, build memories, and pursue their dreams. Quality flooring, though often overlooked, is the heart of a decent home, quietly supporting the safety and well-being of every household member.
Flooring is foundational to the safety of a home. It provides a stable and secure surface, reducing the risk of accidents and falls. Additionally, quality flooring can prevent the spread of mould, dust, and bacteria that can accumulate in dirt or deteriorating floors, ensuring a healthier living environment for families. Currently, our main flooring programme is focussed in Latin America. In this region, there is a desperate need for housing and flooring improvements, with an estimated 50 million people living with dirt floors.
Silvia’s Story
Silvia was desperately worried about her daughter, Melany. The dirt flooring throughout their home in Guatemala was a breeding ground for bacteria and mould, and little Melany would get sick every 10-15 days with terrible stomach upsets and coughs.
“Like most children, she likes to spend most of her time playing on the floor,” says Silvia. “Her hands would get dirty, and she had lots of diarrhoea and coughs”.
Silvia and Melany were chosen to receive a new floor as part of our ‘100,00 Floors to Play On’ scheme. Their new floor is properly sealed, resistant to moisture, easy to keep clean – and the perfect surface to play on! Melany loves to use it to prop up her colouring books (her favourite activity), as well as to play with her doll and stuffed animal toys.
“Since the new floor, my girl has gotten so much better – she hardly gets sick. I love that I can clean my floor now; it’s just so much better for both of us,” says Silvia.
By supporting our work to tackle housing poverty, you help empower families to move beyond the limitations of substandard housing. Your generosity lays the groundwork for stronger, more resilient communities where everyone has the chance to build a brighter future.
Abner’s Story
Abner, a resilient young boy from Nicaragua, faced an immense challenge early in life. At just six months old, a severe fever led to brain atrophy, requiring lifelong care. Now, 14 years old, Abner still faces mobility challenges and speech difficulties.
The dirt floor in the home he shares with his mum, Raquel (46), exacerbated his challenges. “His eyesight is perfect, his hearing too, but he can’t walk, although he can manage small steps. He finds it easier to crawl,” says Raquel.
Every time Abner crawled or did his mobility exercises, he did so on a dirt floor, exposing him to respiratory diseases and parasites. But now, Raquel watches her son with a smile as he takes small steps on a smooth, new concrete floor, built by Habitat for Humanity.
“This has been a great blessing, I thank Habitat for Humanity because now my child no longer runs the risk of falling face first onto the ground. In addition, Habitat built ramps for us – they are a lifeline – so I can take him out for walks and fresh air more easily,” Raquel tells us.
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