About Us
The Story of Constru Casa
Over the years, Constru Casa has built new lives for numerous Guatemalan families and entire communities. We could never have gotten to this point without the outstanding leadership and work of our founder, Caroline Van Heerde. She began with an idea and a vision to see Guatemala without poverty and with everyone living in dignified housing. Since 2004, she has worked with local and foreign groups of people and associations to make Constru Casa what it is today. Caroline has built relationships and created alliances with like-minded individuals and organizations to see a change in the housing crisis that is very apparent in Guatemala. We have built over 1400 homes with even more community constructions bringing us to over 1600 total construction projects. Fortunately, the construction process doesn’t stop there; the number of families getting a new start with a new home keeps growing. Thank you to our supporters for making Caroline’s dream of a new Guatemala become a reality!
The Story of Caroline van Heerde
The founder and director of Constru Casa, Caroline van Heerde, arrived in Guatemala from the Netherlands in 2000. After working in various projects and social organizations, she realized she could make a difference by improving the lives of families living in extreme poverty. In 2004 her dream became reality as Constru Casa was born with the construction of the first 10 houses.
Over the years, Caroline has built an extensive network with partner organizations, supporters and collaborators in Guatemala, and also with partners and supporters in the US and Holland, enabling Constru Casa to implement projects and programs that make a real impact in Guatemala.
“I am very proud of the impact that we make; it is quite unique for a grassroots organization,” says Caroline, “it is very rewarding to work together with a great group of people and with a continuously growing group of supporters.
Even after so many years, we never get tired of giving our best. Working with each family is different, and comes with the hope for a better future for every member. The results of our research show us the positive impact that we have on these people´s lives. The work that we do, it still provides we with good energy.¨
Mission
To improve the quality of life among Guatemalans living in extreme poverty through holistic community development with the provision of basic housing, support programs and community building for health and education programs.
Vision
A Guatemala without poverty, exclusion, and dependency, in which poor families no longer have to endure inhumane living conditions. Through community development in the areas of housing, education, and healthcare, these families become socially and economically stable.
Our Team
Caroline van Heerde
Director
Ulises began working for Constru Casa in April of 2013. He is in charge of the administration, finances, and accounting in the Association. He graduated with an accounting degree and is now finishing his thesis for Public and Auditory Accounting. He has worked for more than 8 years in NGO’s and is thankful to be a part of building new homes with Constru Casa.
Ulises Gudiel
Administrative and Financial Manager
Ulises began working for Constru Casa in April of 2013. He is in charge of the administration, finances, and accounting in the Association. He graduated with an accounting degree and is now finishing his thesis for Public and Auditory Accounting. He has worked for more than 8 years in NGO’s and is thankful to be a part of building new homes with Constru Casa.
Evelyn Sandoval
Operations Manager
Evelyn has been the head of the operations department in Constru Casa since 2016. She has studied Architecture and Psychology, and as the Operations Manager, the main part of her work is the planning of each project and the supervision of construction and social relations.
Fredy Maldonado
Communication Manager
Fredy joined Constru Casa in September of 2018. He is in charge of public relations and overseeing communications and promotions. He has more than 25 years of experience working in educational, social, environmental and economic development programs in different organizations in rural and urban areas of Guatemala. His main goal is to provide dignity to Guatemalans in poverty.
Ranferi Vásquez
Construction Manager
Ranferi has been with Constru Casa since 2006. He is the manager of construction projects and is responsible for the planning, control, and execution of the construction process alongside his own team of masons. He is highly qualified in many trades including but not limited to masonry, mechanics, and heavy equipment operation.
Erick Aquino
Operations Assistant
In July of 2017, Erick became of the Constru Casa team. He is an Antigua Guatemala native and has studied in the area of administration of hotels, tourism, and gastronomy. He has been working in Constru Casa in operations doing administrative work and alongside our social partners. He is a large part of our preparation program for the beneficiary families in the area of planning and health.
Diego Rodriguez
Volunteer Coordinator
Diego Rodriguez, Volunteer Coordinator, was born and raised in Guatemala City. He studied International Relations at Rafael Landivar University and has lived overseas in the US, France and Switzerland. Diego is excited to be able to share Guatemala´s culture with visiting groups. In his free time, Diego enjoys traveling, discussing current events, meeting new people and outdoor activities
Geovani Zuñiga
Programs Officer
Geovani became a part of the Constru Casa team in 2009. He works alongside our allied partners in the construction programs. He visits the families to run studies before construction and to supervise the follow up programs after construction. He will also install stoves and water filters as well as lead the education on the use and health benefits of these products.
Martha Tobar
Administrative/Financial Assistant and Human Resources
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Board of Directors in Guatemala
Leonel López
President and Legal Representative
Amy joined Constru Casa in 2018 and has been working in the area of promotions and public relations. She first came to Guatemala from Canada in early 2018 to study Spanish for 5 months and from there began working with Constru Casa. Her work focuses on event planning, being in contact with our donors, photography and media, and other methods of promoting Constru Casa.
Caroline van Heerde
Vice President
Ingrid began to work for Constru Casa in July of 2018. She is in charge of overseeing human resources and works in administration and finances. She has a diploma in business administration and is currently studying to complete a bachelor of human resources. She finds satisfaction in working with Constru Casa not only because of a new home for families but by seeing the change in the lives of Guatemalans.
Harald Westrik
Secretary
Geovani became a part of the Constru Casa team in 2009. He works alongside our allied partners in the construction programs. He visits the families to run studies before construction and to supervise the follow up programs after construction. He will also install stoves and water filters as well as lead the education on the use and health benefits of these products.
Barbara Manon Derks
Treasurer
Amy joined Constru Casa in 2018 and has been working in the area of promotions and public relations. She first came to Guatemala from Canada in early 2018 to study Spanish for 5 months and from there began working with Constru Casa. Her work focuses on event planning, being in contact with our donors, photography and media, and other methods of promoting Constru Casa.
Flor de María de León
General Member
Geovani became a part of the Constru Casa team in 2009. He works alongside our allied partners in the construction programs. He visits the families to run studies before construction and to supervise the follow up programs after construction. He will also install stoves and water filters as well as lead the education on the use and health benefits of these products.
Roberto Bianchi
General Member
Ingrid began to work for Constru Casa in July of 2018. She is in charge of overseeing human resources and works in administration and finances. She has a diploma in business administration and is currently studying to complete a bachelor of human resources. She finds satisfaction in working with Constru Casa not only because of a new home for families but by seeing the change in the lives of Guatemalans.
María del Carmen Holm
General Member
Geovani became a part of the Constru Casa team in 2009. He works alongside our allied partners in the construction programs. He visits the families to run studies before construction and to supervise the follow up programs after construction. He will also install stoves and water filters as well as lead the education on the use and health benefits of these products.
Mariela Bautista
General Member
Geovani became a part of the Constru Casa team in 2009. He works alongside our allied partners in the construction programs. He visits the families to run studies before construction and to supervise the follow up programs after construction. He will also install stoves and water filters as well as lead the education on the use and health benefits of these products.
All the members of our Board serve on a voluntary basis!
Board of Directors in United States
Jim Hille
President - [email protected]
Amy joined Constru Casa in 2018 and has been working in the area of promotions and public relations. She first came to Guatemala from Canada in early 2018 to study Spanish for 5 months and from there began working with Constru Casa. Her work focuses on event planning, being in contact with our donors, photography and media, and other methods of promoting Constru Casa.
Ron Sack
Vice President
Ingrid began to work for Constru Casa in July of 2018. She is in charge of overseeing human resources and works in administration and finances. She has a diploma in business administration and is currently studying to complete a bachelor of human resources. She finds satisfaction in working with Constru Casa not only because of a new home for families but by seeing the change in the lives of Guatemalans.
Luke Bretscher
Treasurer
Geovani became a part of the Constru Casa team in 2009. He works alongside our allied partners in the construction programs. He visits the families to run studies before construction and to supervise the follow up programs after construction. He will also install stoves and water filters as well as lead the education on the use and health benefits of these products.
Jody Pence
Secretary
Amy joined Constru Casa in 2018 and has been working in the area of promotions and public relations. She first came to Guatemala from Canada in early 2018 to study Spanish for 5 months and from there began working with Constru Casa. Her work focuses on event planning, being in contact with our donors, photography and media, and other methods of promoting Constru Casa.
Andrew Wilson
General Member
Ingrid began to work for Constru Casa in July of 2018. She is in charge of overseeing human resources and works in administration and finances. She has a diploma in business administration and is currently studying to complete a bachelor of human resources. She finds satisfaction in working with Constru Casa not only because of a new home for families but by seeing the change in the lives of Guatemalans.
Lee Kreimer
General Member
Ingrid began to work for Constru Casa in July of 2018. She is in charge of overseeing human resources and works in administration and finances. She has a diploma in business administration and is currently studying to complete a bachelor of human resources. She finds satisfaction in working with Constru Casa not only because of a new home for families but by seeing the change in the lives of Guatemalans.
Kent Eaton
General Member
Ingrid began to work for Constru Casa in July of 2018. She is in charge of overseeing human resources and works in administration and finances. She has a diploma in business administration and is currently studying to complete a bachelor of human resources. She finds satisfaction in working with Constru Casa not only because of a new home for families but by seeing the change in the lives of Guatemalans.
Omar Malcolm
General Member
Geovani became a part of the Constru Casa team in 2009. He works alongside our allied partners in the construction programs. He visits the families to run studies before construction and to supervise the follow up programs after construction. He will also install stoves and water filters as well as lead the education on the use and health benefits of these products.
Jeff Horst
General Member
Geovani became a part of the Constru Casa team in 2009. He works alongside our allied partners in the construction programs. He visits the families to run studies before construction and to supervise the follow up programs after construction. He will also install stoves and water filters as well as lead the education on the use and health benefits of these products.
John Lothrop
General Member
Geovani became a part of the Constru Casa team in 2009. He works alongside our allied partners in the construction programs. He visits the families to run studies before construction and to supervise the follow up programs after construction. He will also install stoves and water filters as well as lead the education on the use and health benefits of these products.
All the members of our Board serve on a voluntary basis!
Board of Directors in The Netherlands
Lieke du Bois
President
Amy joined Constru Casa in 2018 and has been working in the area of promotions and public relations. She first came to Guatemala from Canada in early 2018 to study Spanish for 5 months and from there began working with Constru Casa. Her work focuses on event planning, being in contact with our donors, photography and media, and other methods of promoting Constru Casa.
Marjo Crombach
Secretary
Ingrid began to work for Constru Casa in July of 2018. She is in charge of overseeing human resources and works in administration and finances. She has a diploma in business administration and is currently studying to complete a bachelor of human resources. She finds satisfaction in working with Constru Casa not only because of a new home for families but by seeing the change in the lives of Guatemalans.
Hilde Hagting
Treasurer
Geovani became a part of the Constru Casa team in 2009. He works alongside our allied partners in the construction programs. He visits the families to run studies before construction and to supervise the follow up programs after construction. He will also install stoves and water filters as well as lead the education on the use and health benefits of these products.
All the members of our Board serve on a voluntary basis!
Team of Masons
Our masons are all highly skilled and hard working local Guatemalans. They build the houses and community buildings from the ground up, often with the help of our volunteers. The masons are very patient and teach the volunteers about building, Spanish, and often times, soccer! We are lucky to have such a great team of masons to help us build better lives in Guatemala.