According to figures provided by the UN, more than 113 million people worldwide live in informal settlements. TECHO, an organization that has been working in these areas for 17 years, has promoted coordinated efforts with various sectors of society, taking on the responsibility of helping residents of these settlements overcome the poverty in which they live.
One of the areas the organization addresses is housing, and since it began its work alongside volunteers and local residents, it has contributed by building emergency housing, which—among other things—significantly improves the sense of well-being among those who live there, according to a study conducted by J-Pal.
This program, which has expanded throughout Latin America, has reached 100,000 homes, and to mark this milestone, TECHO the initiative “Stories Transforming History.” “On this occasion, TECHO its ongoing call for a more just society. This work has brought together various groups that understand that the inequality in our society can only be overcome by working together, transforming their own history and the history of our country,” explains Agustín Wolff, Social Director at TECHO.
Through a website created specifically for this milestone, TECHO gather the stories of residents, volunteers, companies, organizations, and other entities that have been part of this process, highlighting the diversity and solidarity of those who have contributed to it.
The stories will be shared on social media using the hashtag #HistoriasTECHO.
The logistics company DHL has joined as an official sponsor and will participate in the various activities organized by several countries where TECHO active, working alongside more than 450 settlements.
The story, told through #HistoriasTECHO
“No matter how poor you are, there’s no one so poor that they have nothing to give, nor anyone so rich that they have nothing to receive. Telling someone who has very little, ‘I need you,’ is a good thing, because poverty goes beyond money—poverty is in the mind.”
Mercedes, known as “Titi,” has been living with her five children and her grandson in the San Martín shantytown for the past five years. She came from Buenos Aires to escape another shantytown. Today, she focuses on finding ways to address issues in her new neighborhood, such as prostitution, drug addiction, employment, and education.
Uruguay“Everything—absolutely everything we set out to do—can be achieved. All it takes is for a few of us to get started, and little by little, more people will join us. That way, we can build something great that belongs to everyone.” Despite living in a small house in the La Barranca settlement, Yamilet joined an international child sponsorship program as a volunteer. Today, as a program coordinator for that project, she is convinced that her work helps improve the quality of life for many children living in poverty.
Nicaragua“At the La Estrellita camp, four of the 18 families believed in this project, and we’re grateful and happy. I know it’s been a constant struggle for the whole team to achieve what we have now. We’re happy. The very day they handed over our homes, we moved in with just an air mattress. Plus, the sense of community among the families living in the Renacer project is very strong. My son is happy—he never used to go out to play, and now he has two friends. We’re very close-knit here; if someone has a problem, we all pitch in to help, and we’re always organizing activities to improve our quality of life.”
Jaqueline Pereda, secretary of the Renacer Housing Committee, which brings together 125 families from shantytowns in the Atacama region. In December 2012, they moved into their permanent homes in Copiapó.
Chile
Would you like to share your story?
Share it on historias.techo.orgusing #HistoriasTECHO
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