A new home for Norma Páez

The beginning of her home

Norma is 48 years old and lives with three of her four children: Ninfa, 26 years old, Monse, 22 years old, and Osvaldo, 17 years old. Her youngest daughter is also a mother to two adorable twins, Icar and Sofia, who are 2 years old. Until recently, two of her school-aged grandchildren also lived in the house, but due to Norma’s illness, they returned to their mother’s care, although they visit Norma’s house daily as they still live in the neighborhood.

Fifteen years ago, Norma and her four young children arrived at the settlement in the Cañada San Rafael neighborhood in Luque. Before that, she lived in Calle’i, San Lorenzo, but she felt the need to start a new life and have a place she could call her own. Currently, Norma pays 80,000 guaraníes per month for her lot, the Ministry of Housing is facilitating the legalization process for the 160 families living in Alianza Unida with a financing period of 10 years.

A pillar for many and a supportive community

To support her family, Norma started selling food in the community. In addition to that, she takes on tasks such as washing neighbors’ clothes, cleaning houses, recycling aluminum cans, and doing any kind of work. Unfortunately, a year ago, Norma started feeling unwell and received a concerning diagnosis: colon cancer. Since then, she has undergone two surgeries at the National Cancer Institute, known as INCAN, where she survived an infection and has received 46 sessions of radiotherapy and 10 chemotherapy treatments so far.

Given her present circumstances, Norma is no longer able to work as she did before. She candidly shared with us her feelings of being greatly restricted by her illness. While she occasionally experiences discomfort and must remain in bed, on the day of our visit, she warmly greeted us while seated beneath the flourishing loquat tree. Her enthusiasm led her to rise and proudly showcase the diverse array of plants she tenderly nurtures.

In Norma’s family, everyone contributes to their livelihood, and they also receive supportive assistance from their neighbors. Monse cares for a baby on a daily basis, while her son Osvaldo works in a blacksmith shop. In some way, they manage to secure the daily lunch and cover other expenses for the family. Their neighbors also mobilize and lend a hand by providing transportation and resources that Norma needs for her frequent hospital visits.
Family, Education, and Work
Norma comes from a family of ten siblings. Her parents worked in the Chaco region, so at the age of 12, she went under the care of her godmother until she was 19. Norma was unable to finish primary school and only reached the 4th grade. «I can read a little,» she hesitantly tells us and shares that as a kid she dreamt of being a nurse.

In the case of Norma’s children and grandchildren, their educational journeys have taken different paths, each with its own challenges. Ninfa successfully completed high school and now faces the task of finding stable employment. However, this goal becomes more challenging as she also has to take care of her mother and accompany her to treatment. Monse, on the other hand, had to leave school in the 9th grade when she became pregnant, and her focus is now entirely dedicated to caring for her twins. As for Osvaldo, lovingly referred to as «pahague,» he made the decision to prioritize work over continuing his studies. Despite these circumstances, Norma’s grandchildren, aged 8 and 10, are enrolled in school. However, they encounter the constant threat of dropping out, as they accompany the women in collecting aluminum cans to contribute to the family’s fragile economy. Through determination and resilience, Norma’s family navigates the challenges of education, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and opportunity for their future.

The Dream of a Home

The idea of moving to a new house fills Norma with excitement. It signifies greater peace of mind for her and her family. Currently, their home consists of a shared bedroom with her son. The structure features fired brick walls, complemented by corrugated sheets, wooden boards, and a worn-out fiber cement roof.

Norma recalls that it was her brothers who helped build those walls, but now she worries because they are shifting and lack solid foundations. Furthermore, her house has no flooring, only bare earth, making it damp and prone to flooding during heavy rains.

At the back of the plot, Norma’s daughters are constructing their own spaces, raising the floors to prevent water accumulation during rainfall. During storms, Norma seeks shelter with them.

Adjacent to Norma’s house is the kitchen shed, which also serves as a dining area where her children and grandchildren gather daily. The family primarily cooks with firewood, although they have an induction cooktop and a stable electricity supply. Norma assures us that «cooking with firewood tastes better.» The menu varies, but popular dishes like noodles (tallarín), stews (guiso), and pot roasts (puchero) are always included.

To bring water to the kitchen, Norma uses a long hose connected to a tap a few meters away from the house. The water is sourced from a community water facility. In the middle of the lot, they have a basic bathroom with a toilet that serves the entire family.

Norma, with a hopeful gaze, expresses her enthusiasm for having a new house with minimal and adequate conditions. «I never searched for a house because I didn’t have the means. I always dreamed of having a better one.» Today, she feels confident, supported by her family, neighbors, and community.