Project Mercy Baja Newsletter Third & Fourth Quarter 2022
January 14th, 2023
The response to the Project Mercy program was both profound and immensely encouraging last year. In 2022, Project Mercy Baja built 74 houses for families in desperate need in eastern Tijuana/Tecate, Mexico. We thank all the loyal groups that returned to work with us after the pandemic and are heartened by all the new groups that are building with us for the first time.
On the 8th of October we held the 22nd annual Baja Challenge, organized by Board member Devin Beale and our Construction manager John Zawis. An amazing total of 21 houses were built in one day with an additional three sponsored for construction later.
Although our primary mission is to provide safe and decent housing for families in need, we recognize that to break the cycle of poverty more focus needs to be put on children’s education. To this end, early in 2022 and with the support of some longtime donors, we built a one room classroom in one of the poorest neighborhoods we work in. We have been delighted to see the 25+ students who had never been to school, thrive and advance. Because of this success, we are planning to replicate this effort in 2023 in another neighborhood.
In addition to building houses and our work with the school, Project Mercy also expanded organizing the purchase and delivery of groceries to families in different neighborhoods where we work. Construction groups and various individuals provide resources to continue this service.
To all the organizations, corporations service teams and individuals who have backed us and built houses with us; to the Bravo Foundation, Shapira Foundation and Jack DeLoss Taylor Charitable Trust, who gave us grants for 2022; we give our heartfelt thanks.