Brazil: Ademar's story

New Habitat homes

The family's old home

Ademar and his wife Valderene were paying almost half their income for low-quality housing two years ago when the rent went up. The increase was more than they could handle, so they built a shack, 12 feet by 9 feet, made of scrap wood, cardboard and plastic to live in with their 7-year-old daughter, Samara. A nearby latrine enclosed with black plastic wrapped around saplings served as the family's "private" bathroom.

Once accepted as a Habitat for Humanity homeowner family, they each began to dream about moving into their Habitat house. Ademar, who works nights, will enjoy a house cool enough to sleep in during the day. Valderene dreamed of an indoor bathroom, a kitchen with a sink and space to care for her children. Samara envisioned a bedroom decorated with flowers.

The family's dreams became reality just weeks after the birth of their new baby.

Find out more about Habitat for Humanity's work in Brazil

Read about the experience of a volunteer in Latin America