Dilenia lives in the community of San Miguelito with her husband, Freddy, and their two sons: Deybi (age 11) and little Freddy Antonio (age 5). San Miguelito is in year 3 of Plan 7, our community development model which Dilenia’s family have been active and enthusiastic participants in.
Before Plan 7, Dilenia’s daily life brought many challenges. Her days were full of hard labor: carrying heavy buckets of water from the river, crossing fields that often felt unsafe, to make sure the children could be bathed and hydrated before going to school. Safe drinking water was precious and scarce.
Her home kitchen was made of adobe, with a traditional open fire and no chimney. She and her family were constantly exposed to the smoke that filled the home every time she cooked. It caused respiratory problems, frequent colds, and left all their belongings covered in soot. Emotionally, Dilenia felt drained spending her days without water, cooking over smoky flames, and barely pausing to rest.
But Dilenia held tightly to her faith that God had something better in store for her family.
Everything changed when San Miguelito joined Plan 7. Dilenia didn’t hesitate to join the water project, and was hopeful that more projects would follow. And she was right – a couple years after the community water system was completed, the Amigos for Christ community development advocates presented the Clean Air Kitchen projects. She applied for the project, trusting that God would provide. Her faith grew even stronger when she saw His promises become reality.
Dilenia was invited to visit another Plan 7 community to see what the kitchens looked like and how they worked. She was inspired by her visit. With support from her community development advocate and by saving money earned through her small business selling goods, Dilenia was able to pay her contribution for the Clean Air Kitchen by making small payments over time. Her neighbors were surprised when one day, after just two days of work by the masons, the new kitchen was finished.
Dilenia became the owner of her very own Clean Air Kitchen on Mother’s Day. Now, Dilenia cooks in a smoke-free kitchen where the food stays warm on the stove without burning, and the air in her home is clear. She feels healthier, happier, and deeply grateful. She says the new kitchen has brought comfort, dignity, and value to her home. She often tells her children about the importance of saving and working toward the future.
Having started working in the fields at 15, Dilenia has always believed in hard work and planning. Today, she dreams of expanding her home so her children can have a brighter future.
