Project Mercy works with families living in colonias on the eastern edges of Tijuana where poverty and harsh living conditions are common. The weather can range from 100 degrees in the summer to freezing temperatures in the winter. It is a hard life and families often go without basic needs such as food.
In addition to building homes and providing educational opportunities, Project Mercy also distributes food baskets on a regular basis. This week one of our Mexican crew, Nacho, and long time volunteer Doug Hoffman were able to buy and deliver about a weeks worth of groceries to five families in the areas we serve.
Sánchez Franco Family
Nancy and Victor met in Tijuana when they were both working in a factory. They have two sons, Caleb who is in first grade and younger brother Luis Angel who likes paying with puppies, and are expecting a new baby soon. Victor works in a taco shop earning 2,300 pesos ($120US) per week and Nancy works in a restaurant and earns 1,150 pesos ($60US)per week.
In Nancy’s own words: “Lately what we have had been suffering from the cold because our house is on a hill it is very windy. When it rains, the wind blows the water into the house through holes in the walls and roof. We don’t have running water and must buy it when the water truck comes up, which doesn’t happen that often. The electricity is also unreliable and intermittent. We are struggle financially and would like our children to be more comfortable and not have water coming through the roof.”
Guzmán Castellanos Family
Alejandra was born in Jaltipan de Morelos Veracruz and decided to leave because work was scarce. She met her son’s father in a factory where they both worked and after dating for a while, they decided to become a couple. But after six months she discovered that he had another partner and at the same time Alejandra discovered that she was three months pregnant.
Alejandra says that with the help of her parents and God she is going to help her son get ahead. She works in a factory and earns 1,800 pesos (US$95) per week and her grandfather Juan receives a small government pension.
In Alejandra’s own words: “One of the biggest difficulties here is that we always live in a very cold house because the air gets in through the holes in the wall and roof. When it rains the water gets in through the bottom of the house. Having a better house would be a blessing for me, my parents and especially for my son. A place where we would not have to worry if the building would fall down on us in bad weather.”
Olayo Echeverría Family
Luz was born in Tijuana and Alberto in Acapulco, Guerrero. Jose scavenges in the local garbage dump collecting and recycling metal and other materials that he can sell. He makes about 2,500 pesos ($150US) per week, depending on what he is able to find and recycle. Their son Miguel is a very active, cheerful child.
In Alberto’s own words: “The truth is that life is difficult here because there is no electricity and no running water. Right now we are living in my mother-in-law’s house, which is near where we have a piece of land, but since we had Miguel and with payments on the land, it has been difficult for us. We just want to tell you that our hearts are very happy and may God bless you.”
Corcuera Arrollo family
In Maria’s own words: “My daughter committed suicide, leaving behind my little granddaughter Tania. Her father took care of her until I arrived in Tijuana when he told me that he could no longer support. I started selling candy to support Tania, that’s where I met Nelson who was selling chickens. I told him my story and he said that he would support me. We arrived in the neighborhood with nothing. We built the little shack we have now, little by little with wood that was given to us by neighbors and parts of a torn tarp for a roof.”
Granddaughter Tania is doing very well in school. She is a very nice girl, who always tries to help her grandmother as much as she can. She likes karate very much. In fact she is attending a karate course and says that when she grows up she wants to be a karate teacher. Nelson works in construction earning 2,500 pesos ($145US) per week when he can find work.
Méndez Moguel Family
Both Mónica and Juan were born in Cordoba Veracruz where they met and have been together for ten years. They migrated to Tijuana 6 years ago in search of steady work because Juan’s job loading and unloading sugar cane was seasonal work and lasted only a few months at a time. Juan Diego works in a factory earning 2,500 pesos ($US145) per week.
Eldest daughter Ingrid is very cheerful and is doing well in school and likes math a lot. Tania also likes school and has a lot of fun with her sister and when she grows up she wants to be a Taekwondo teacher. Neithan is young and likes to play with his sisters and follows them around.
In Juan’s own words: “Life is difficult here. Our house is made of scrap wood and has a blue tarp for a roof. The truth is that we did it as best we could but the cold air blows through holes at night.”
