“Every sacrifice is worth it when it comes to giving our children a better future.”

When Andrea and Vizquel made the decision to leave Venezuela, they carried with them the dream of a better life for their family. They arrived in Bloomington in the middle of a dreary, empty winter in 2022 – stepping into a new country, a new city, and a new beginning.

Thanks to the support of Andrea’s sister and her mother, who had lived in Bloomington for some time, they were welcomed with warmth, love, and emotional support. “It was a change filled with uncertainty, but also with hope. This new beginning has come with its challenges, but also with many blessings. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to build a new life in a place that, little by little, we have come to call home,” Andrea shared.

Today, Andrea works as a teacher in the toddler classroom at the Bloomington Center for Global Children, and is pursuing her goals to further her English skills and advance professionally in her career. Vizquel, with degrees in industrial maintenance and IT, now works in Dining Services at Indiana University. Between full-time jobs, parenting, and Habitat’s sweat equity hours, their days are full—but filled with purpose.

Their sons, Vizquel (8) and Gael (6), are full of life and love for soccer. Whether they’re riding bikes, watching movies together, or joining their dad for one of his signature backyard barbecues, family time is at the heart of everything they do. “We deeply value the time we spend together at home, as it is our safe and peaceful place,” Andrea shared.

But their current two-bedroom apartment has its own challenges. Mold, humidity, and cramped quarters have impacted their quality of life – especially for the children. “We’ve done everything we can to create meaningful memories, despite the deterioration of our unit. We long for an area where our children can grow and develop,” Andrea said.

When they learned about Habitat for Humanity through their church, it felt like a lifeline – an opportunity not just for housing, but for hope. Andrea still remembers the moment they were accepted. She was in the middle of class, working toward her Child Development Associate certification. “I paused everything to answer the call. As soon as I heard the news, I called Vizquel. We embraced with such emotion—it was a moment of immense joy.”

Since joining the program, the family has discovered new skills and built lasting connections with their future neighbors. Their favorite class so far has been home maintenance. “It taught us so much about how to care for a home of our own. I really liked learning about how to take care of a garden, and look forward to putting them to use soon.”

It hasn’t been easy. With busy work schedules, school, and weekend builds, they’ve had to make real sacrifices. Vizquel had to leave a job with specific schedules in order to attend the required classes. Even now, he often works on the weekends, but still finds time to be present during the construction workdays. “He is a man with a deep sense of duty, and every time he has an opportunity – no matter how small – he dedicates it completely to spending time with our family. The journey has not been easy, but we have walked it with effort, organization, and love, convinced that every sacrifice is worth it when it comes to giving our children a better future.”

That future is within reach. In their Habitat home in Osage Place, they imagine a life with room to grow and develop – plenty of space for the boys to play soccer, a shorter commute to school, a kitchen where they can cook together, individual room for privacy and comfort, and a community they already feel welcomed into. “I love the opportunity to have diverse cultures in our community – neighbors from Mexico, Colombia, America – who can all share their cultures and learn from one another. This is really important to me and my family.”

“Our beautiful family would like to thank God for being our constant guide and for never abandoning us, even in the midst of the challenges that life brings our way.  We also want to express our sincere gratitude to Habitat for giving us the opportunity and the trust to access a decent, affordable home—one filled with possibilities for us to grow as a family and create unforgettable memories together.

And last—but certainly not least—we want to thank every person who has been part of this journey. To all who have stood by our side and supported us in one way or another, we want you to know that we deeply value every gesture, every word, and every act of kindness.”

 

Andrea and Vizquel’s home is made possible by the collective support of Jeff and Joy Main, the Karis Foundation, and several anonymous supporters.