True-U LIT Blue Team: Huerta Reyes Family

Build Dates: September 26-27, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Celestino

• Age: 30
• Profession: Works in the fields
• Weekly Salary: $15

Mother- Gabriela

• Age: 22
• Profession: Homemaker

Children-

• Lizbeth, 10 months (girl)
• Alejandro, 5 yrs, Kindergarten (boy)
• Eduardo, 7 yrs, 2nd Grade (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- Maneadero
Time with property- Donated to them
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Celestino and Gabriela are originally from Oaxaca who came to Ensenada looking for a better way of life. They now have 3 children- Eduardo is 7, Alejandro is 5, and Lizbeth is 10 months old. As a family, they have never had their own house. They have been living with their parents and the house is very small for everyone. Gabriela's mother legally donated them half of their property so that they could build their own place. This has been very difficult though. Gabriela was pregnant and Celestino was the only one who could work. The salary of Celestino is very little and barely enough to cover their household expenses- basic necessities like food and water. For this reason, they have yet to be able to build a habitable home. Celestino had to travel to Oaxaca as an emergency came up with family and he needed to go sort some things out. He left his family here in Ensenada. Celestino is supposed to back the end of September, but until then, Gabriela has had to go try to sell things on the streets to provide for her family. When she goes out to sell, her sister cares for her children, and only Lizbeth stays with Gabriela. This family's dream is to be able to have a place where they can all live together peacefully, where the children are safe; a place to call home.

True-U LIT Red Team: Lascres Arevalo Family

Build Dates: September 26-27

Family Information:

Father- Dagoberto

• Age: 30
• Profession: Works in the Fields
• Weekly Salary: $55 (varies)

Mother- Victoria

• Age: 27
• Profession: Works in a factory making hangers
• Weekly Salary: $50

Children-

• Daguito, 10 yrs, 4th Grade (boy)
• Samantha, 2 yrs (girl)
•  

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 1 yr, 1 month
Electricity- no
Running Water- no

Family Story:

Dagoberto and Victoria have been together for 10 years. They had a piece of land with a house, but Dagoberto became very ill and needed an operation. At the time Victoria was pregnant and was unable to get a job because nobody wanted to hire a pregnant woman. They had to sell the house and property because Dagoberto was unable to walk/work for 9 months following the operation. They went to live with one of his brother's until they decided it was time to leave and they needed to find their own place. They found land and bought it on credit. Their children are cared for by a neighbor who they pay $15 a week for her help. Daguito has a problem with one of his eyes, and it was when he started to walk that they noticed it was worse than they thought. The doctors said that there is nothing they can do an dhe will probably lose complete sight in his left eye. Dagoberto works in the fields because he is unable to do heavy labor. Victoria works in a factory making hangers, from 7 am to 5 pm, and earns about $200 a month.  For them it is difficult to be able to build a proper home as Dagoberto is unable to on his own.

Crosby Church (Blue)- Silva Villasenor Family

Build Dates: September 17 & 18, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Juan

• Age: 36
• Profession: Electrician
• Weekly Salary: $75

Mother- Xochilt

• Age: 36
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

 

 

Children-

• Angela, 14 years, 2nd Grade
• Genesis, 7 years, 1st Grade

Property Information:

Colonia- Simon Bolivar
Time with property- 10 months
Electricity- NO
Running Water- NO

Family Story:

Juan and Xochitl have been together for 15 years. They have never had their own place and spent all their years together renting and moving from house to house. They were given the opportunity to get a piece of land on credit and decided to purchase it by making monthly payments. At first they were renting a house and trying to make their monthly payments, but they weren't able to continue doing this, so they had to move to their land. They built a very small structure with wood; the door is made from pallet wood and one wall of the structure is their neighbor's fence. The family has 2 daughters who study music. They were given a discount on classes and Xochitl only has to pay about $6.25 a month Angela plays violin and Genesis is in a choir. Last winter, Genesis was diagnosed with asthma and is now being treated. Juan works for a company as their electrician and makes about $75 a week. Xochitl is a stay at home mother. They do not have the resources to build themselves a better place to live and what they do have for their home, they have because it was given to them.  

Crosby Church (Red)- Armenta Escobedo Family

Build Dates: September 17-18, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Cristian

• Age: 36
• Profession: Construction
• Weekly Salary: $60

Mother- Osiris

• Age: 30
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Cristian

Property Information:

Colonia- Simon Bolivar
Time with property- 1 year
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Cristian and Osiris have been married for 8 years. During the first 7 years they were renting different houses. They were given the opportunity to buy a piece of land on credit and moved to their land at once. Due to lack of work and a very low economic situation, they live in a very small house that is made of garage doors and a tarp roof. Cristian and Osiris had separated for a year after Osiris found out that Cristian had impregnated another woman, the other woman was her best friend. The other woman gave birth to the child, but didn't want to be responsible for him and gave him to Cristian to care for. Osiris decided to forgive Cristian and to help him to care for the child. They now live together as a family in their small house and have faith that they will have a home that will be better and safer for the young boy.

Baird & Warner (Green) - Aviña Mondragon

Build Dates: 16-17 September, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Juan

• Age 24
• Profession: construction assistant
• Weekly Salary: 1250 pesos

Mother- Juana

• Age 2
• Profession: stay at home mom
• Weekly Salary:
•  

Children-

• Alexandra, 8 years old
• Carlos, 5 years old
• Maira, 3 years

 

Property Information:

Colonia- San Rafael
Time with property- 9 months
Electricity- no
Running Water- no

Family Story:

Juan and Juana are from Michoacan and they decided to come and live in the north, looking for a better life and to prosper. They were excited to come live up north as they dreamed of having a home for their family. They have been living in Ensenada for 4 years and all this time they have rented homes, in two different neighbourhoods. Not long ago, they decided to buy a piece of land on credit. Instead of paying rent each month, they used that money to make payments every month and invest in something that would be theirs. They found land that cost $95 a month and there they built a room to live in. Juan works in construction making around $77 a week. Juana is a stay at home mom and cares for their children. When Juana taken them to school they have to walk very far. This family has had faith in God that soon they would be able to give a better home to their children, but they have been unable to with their own resources and so they have asked for help.

Baird & Warner (Blue) - Ramirez Dominguez

Build Dates: 16-17 September, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Jose

• Age 28
• Profession: gardener
• Weekly Salary: 1200 pesos

Mother- Maritza

• Age 23
• Profession: stay at home mom
• Weekly Salary:

Children-

• Horeb, 1 year old
• Mateo, 4 months

 

Property Information:

Colonia- San Rafael
Time with property- 11 months
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Jose and Maritza have been married for 5 years. Jose is from Guadalajara and maritza is from Oaxaca. The first 2 years of their marriage they lived in the home of Maritza's mother and soon after someone loaned them a trailer so they could live there. But they had an opportunity to buy some land on credit close to where they lived, so they decided to buy it. They had to sell their car to make the down payment. So when they had made the down payment they moved there and took the loaned trailer with them, and this is where they live currently. Recently, the owner of the trailer has asked for it back. When Jose and Maritza found out they were soon recieving a Home of Hope they were very happy! They have two children, Horeb is one and Mateo is 4 months. Jose works as a gardener and Maria looks after the children. Jose earns 1200 pesos per week and this is not enough to build a room along with paying off the land each month.

Baird & Warner (Red) - Carranza Madrigal

Build Dates: 16-17 September, 2015

Family Information:

 

Mother- Norma

 

• Age 32
• Profession: works at a birria (Mexican food) restaurant
• Weekly Salary: 950 pesos

Children-

• Karen, 10 years old
• Itzi, 4 years old

 

 

 

Property Information:

Colonia- San Rafael
Time with property- 9 months
Electricity- no
Running Water- someone shares theirs with her

Family Story:

Norma came from Michoacan 2 years ago to the home of the father in law of her sister in law. But her and her ex husband had many problems there and they decided to rent a home where they lived for 6 months. Soon after they decided to buy some land on credit and moved to live there. When Norma applied for Homes of Hope her ex husband lived with her, but only a short time ago, Norma separated from him and decided it was better for her to live alone with the children as he ex husband was very irresponsible. Norma works in a birria restaurant and she makes tortillas. She earns 950 pesos per week. When she works, her neighbor looks after the youngest daughter and her elder daughter is in school. The younger daughter, Itzel, had an operation

Calabazas Team - Medina Martinez

Build Dates: 5-6 September, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Silvero

• Age 25
• Profession: works in a factory
• Weekly Salary: 950 pesos

Mother- Beatriz

• Age 18
• Profession: home worker
• Weekly Salary:

Children-

• Emanuel, 1 year old
• Javier (brother), 7 years old
• Luis (brother), 2 years old

Property Information:

Colonia- San Rafeal
Time with property- 1 year
Electricity- yes
Running Water- yes

Family Story:

Silverio and Beatruz are from Nayarit. They have been married for 2 years and have lived in Ensenada for 2 years. When they married they moved to live with a sister-in-law, later they bought some land on credit but the land was very expensive and they soon found a cheaper plot of land. So they returned the first plot and moved onto the cheaper one. For 6 months they lived in a small room of wood. They then returned this plot of land but the owner did not return their initial payments. The new land they have and are currently paying off costs 69,000 pesos and their old one was going to cost them 169,000 pesos. They have lived on this property for 1 year. Silverio works in a factory and his salary is 950 pesos. Beatriz's mother had problems with her husband, he mistreated her a lot and she had nowhere to go, so Silverio offered for her to stay with them. However their house is very small, and Beatriz's mother also has 2 other young children who came with her so there is now 6 people living in this small home. For them it is difficult to have a bigger home at the moment.

Mission Adventures: East Haven - Cordova Renteria

Build Dates: 20-22 July, 2015

Family Information:

 

Father- Iram Alejandro

• Age 28
• Profession: construction assistant
• Weekly Salary: 1000 pesos

Mother- Fatima

• Age 26
• Profession:
• Weekly Salary:

 

 

 

Children-

• Mairin, 8, 3rd grade
• Leslie, 6, 1st grade
• Marley, 2

Property Information:

Colonia- 89 amplification
Time with property- 8 years
Electricity- yes
Running Water- no

Family Story:

Iram and Fatima have been married for 10 years. They met 12 years ago in Ensenada and decided to marry and rent a home. 9 months later they invaded some land and a year later asked the government if they could buy it and pay it off slowly. Fatima had her first daughter and decided to keep working. When she got pregnant with the second child she had to quit her job as she had many complications. Later she returned to work when things got better and then she had their third child. Iram has changed to different jobs but now he works as a construction assistant and his salary varies from week to week. This makes it difficult to build something bigger for his family. Their eldest daughter was born with a problem in her hip bones and has difficulty walking. They have been waiting one year to receive a new home.

M10 - Pedroza Castro

Build Dates: 27-28 July, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Jesus

• Age 24
• Profession: packs seafood
• Weekly Salary: 800 -1200 pesos

Mother- Alejandra

• Age 21
• Profession: home worker
• Weekly Salary:

Children-

• Rogelio, 5, kinder

Property Information:

Colonia- Ejido Cantu
Time with property- 2 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- Yes

Family Story:

Jesus and Alejandra have been married for 7 years. For the first 5 years of their marriage they lived in the home of Jesus' parents. In this home lived many people and there was many problems. A friend wanted to help them and offered them a block of land very cheap. They accepted and they have been paying this land off for 2 years. They pay 1000 pesos per month and they only owe 2000 pesos. When they bought the land Jesus' mother loaned them a small trailer and said that when they built a room they had to return the trailer. The trailer is now old. The roof doesn't work. He put a tarp to cover the roof, as when it rained it leaked. For Jesus it has been difficult to build a house because his salary is small and varies. He works in a seafood packing factory. There are weeks he earns 800 pesos. The most he has been able to earn in a week is 1200 pesos. From this salary he needs to set aside the money to pay the land and the rest is for the food and other expenses of the family.

M10 - Murillo Mora

Build Dates: 27-28 July, 2015

Family Information:

Father-

• Age
• Profession:
• Weekly Salary:

Mother- Johana

• Age 24
• Profession: co-op school
• Weekly Salary: 900 pesos

Children-

• Jose, 7
• Kimberly, 4

 

 

 

 

 

Property Information:

Colonia- Libertad
Time with property- always
Electricity- yes
Running Water- yes

Family Story:

Johana is a single mother. The father of the children didn't want to work, one day he came home drunk and hit her and they decided to separate. He left about 8 months ago. She stayed alone and works in a school, she earns 900 pesos per week. A friend of hers looks after the children for 2 hours. Her friend picks them up from school and looks after them for 2 hours until Johana finishes work. Johana has many economic problems as her daughter Kimberly was born with one kidney smaller than the other. They don't have medical insurance. They only have the free government insurance for general hospital but it doesn't cover the medicines or specialist doctors. Johana's mother legally donated her the land through contract. Johana has lived in the house on the land since she was 3 years old. It is now more than 20 years old. The wood is very old and the roof very damaged but Johana doesn't have the possibility to build anything better as her salary barely covers the expenses of food and the medication her daughter needs.

Mission Adventures: Young Nak - Juarez Rodriguez

Build Dates: 20-22 July, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Tiburcio

• Age 45
• Profession: works in crop field
• Weekly Salary: Oaxaca

Mother- Luisa

• Age 40
• Profession: sells food
• Weekly Salary: 400 pesos x 2 days

 

 

Children-

• Maria, 23, studies at university
• Amalia, 21, studies at university
• Javier, 19, studies at university
• Esther, 16, high school
• Ana, 13, 8th grade
• Ivan, 9 months

Property Information:

Colonia-Vista Al Mar
Time with property- 7 months
Electricity- yes
Running Water- yes

Family Story:

Tiburcio and Luisa are indigenous people from Oaxaca. They speak the dialect Mixteco and only a little Spanish. Tiburcio and Luisa did not have the opportunity to go to school. Because of this they have supported their children a lot so that they can study and have a good career in the future. 3 of their children go to university. Others are in high school and middle school. Tiburcio works in the crop fields and Luisa also worked there, but had to leave as she had a baby 9 months ago. Now she works selling food on the weekends from their home to help her husband with the finances of the family. The children also work in the fields on weekends, to earn some money for the expenses of the buses. They also work in the vacations. They have never had their own home. They lived in the home of Tiburcio's parents, but they bought some land that is only about 100 meteres from the home of Tiburcio's parents. Tiburcio built a small room and there they have lived for the last 7 months. The room is very small, so the older children continue to sleep at their grandparents house, as there is not enough room for everyone. For Tiburcio it is difficult to build a better home because they have many children and many expenses as a family.

Summit Christian Church - Romero Castro

Build Dates: 18-19 July, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Enrique

• Age 47
• Profession: packing produce
• Weekly Salary: 994 pesos

Mother- Maria

• Age 56
• Profession: house cleaning
• Weekly Salary: 400 pesos x two days

 

 

Children-

• Mariela, 27
• Saul, 2 (Mariela's son)
• Bryan, 15

Property Information:

Colonia- Maneadero
Time with property- 5 years
Electricity- no
Running Water- no

Family Story:

Enrique and Maria have been together for 5 years. She is originally from Mexicali and he is from Ensenada. They have no children together, but Maria has a daughter living with them and Enrique looks after kids from his previous marriage - he helps them with their schooling and their travel to and from school. One of his kids is doing their social service and the other is studying to be a nurse technician. The land they currently live on was donated to them by Enrique's mother when she was alive. They have lived here since they got together and this land is on a farm where there is cows and animals. Currently Enrique works in a packaging factory and earns 900 pesos weekly. Maria works cleaning houses, earning 400 pesos each week. The house on the farm where sleep is in bad conditions, air enters, when it rains it leaks and it is surrounded by animals.

River of Life - Alvarado Valenzuela

Build Dates: 18-19 July, 2015

Family Information:

Father-Erick

• Age 25
• Profession: works in produce field
• Weekly Salary: 130 pesos x day

Mother- Esther

• Age 26
• Profession: works packing produce
• Weekly Salary: 140 pesos

Children-

• Eliza, 4

Property Information:

Colonia- Maneadero
Time with property-  7 months
Electricity- no
Running Water- no

Family Story:

Erick and Esther have been married for 5 years. From the beginning they rented a home but for Erick it was very hard to keep paying rent as his salary is very small. Esther's mother upon seeing their situation invited them to live with her, but her house is small and they slept in the kitchen. As time went on, these living conditions got harder and they began to have problems. . They lived two years and a half until they decided to buy some land on credit and build a house from second hand materials. Erick and Esther have a beautiful girl, Eliza, who is now 4 years old. Esther fell pregnant again but sadly lost the baby and they are trying to move forward. Erick and Esther work in a packing factory where their salary is 140 pesos daily and with this they pay off their land and try to cover all their home expenses. They asked for help with their home because for them it is hard to buy the materials and they don't have much time to build.

Blanchett - Modesto Ordunez

Build Dates: 14-15 July, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Alfredo

• Age 39
• Profession: driver
• Weekly Salary: 700 pesos

Mother- Maria

• Age 37
• Profession: factory worker
• Weekly Salary: 600 pesos

 

 

Children-

• Damaris, 14
• Daniel, 8
• Leslie, 5

Property Information:

Colonia- La Escondida
Time with property- 11 years
Electricity- yes
Running Water- no

Family Story

Alfredo and Maria have been married for 13 years. Damaris is not Alfredos biological child. Maria lived for a time with Damrais' father for a time, but he was a drug addict and went to a rehab centre in another town to try and get help, however he never returned. Later Maria married Alfredo and they had two more children together. They bought some land on credit and they paid for it together. They have lived on their land for 11 years. Their home is a small room, divided in two. It is made from pieces of old wood. Maria works part time in a sewing factory. She earns 600 pesos. Alfredo works at night as a driver of factory workers. HE does two trips in the night Monday to Friday and earns 700 pesos each week. He is only working this job until he can find something better. He works nights so that during the day he can come home during the day and look after the kids. For them it has been hard to build a better home because their salary is little and just covers food and the expenses of the home.

Mission Adventures Discovery Church Yellow - Covarrubias Benjamin

Build Dates: July 9-11, 2015

Family Information:

 

Father- Jose

• Age 22
• Profession: Construction assistant
• Weekly Salary: 1073 pesos

Mother- Brenda

• Age 21
• Profession: sells hamocks
• Weekly Salary: 400 pesos x 4 days

Children-

• Ivan, 3 and a half years old

Property Information:

Colonia- San Rafael
Time with property- 2 months 
Electricity- yes
Running Water- from a well

Family Story:

Jose and Brenda have been married for 5 years. They have never had their own home. From the time they got married they have been moving from one place to another, sometimes living with his parents, sometimes living with hers. Finally Jose' grandfather donated them some land so that they did not have to keep struggling and they have lived on this land for the last months. Jose built a small room from wood and they moved there and have lived there for the last 2 months. 2 weeks ago someone broke into their home and stole their stove while they were out working. Jose works as a construction assistant but this is not a steady job. He works by contract and when one job finishes he has to wait to find another job, so there are some days where he has no work. Brenda works with her dad 4 days a week and sells hamocks. She earns 100 pesos per day because there are days they don't sell anything. For them it is difficult to build a home because their income is small.

Mission Adventures Discovery Church Red - Cornelio Fernandez

Build Dates: July 9-11, 2015

Family Information:

 

Father- Horacio

• Age 35
• Profession: Factory worker
• Weekly Salary: 1100 pesos

Mother- Maria

• Age 34
• Profession:
• Weekly Salary:

Children-

• Nelson, 14
• Fernanda, 10
• Abigail, 2

Property Information:

Colonia- San Rafael
Time with property- 6 months
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Horacio and Maria are originally from Tabasco, in the south of Mexico. They decided to move to Ensenada because in Tabasco there is a lot of crime. Horacio sold corn on the street and was threatened that if he did not pay a fee for selling on the street those threatening him would kill a member of his family. So they were scared and moved to Ensenada to feel safer. They had some savings which they used to buy a small plot of land here in Ensenada. But they moved in with his brother. His brother received a home from YWAM, so he donated his old home to Horacio and his family. This is where they currently live. They have 3 children, aged 14,10 and 2. Here Horacio is working in a factory and Maria looks after the kids. The house they are living in is very small, 10 feet by 10 feet and is in bad conditions - the walls have hols, the floor is dirt and the roof is a tarp. Horacio earns 1100 pesos each week and with this they have to cover all their household expenses and the schooling for their children.

Mission Adventures: ACF- Urrutia Bucio Family

Build Dates: June 25-26, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Manuel

• Age 50
• Profession: Fisherman
• Weekly Salary: $55.50

Mother- Maria

• Age 38
• Profession: Cares for Children
• Weekly Salary: $55.50

 

 

 

Children-

• Yajaira, age 18
• Juan, age 11, 6th Grade
• Luis, age 7, 2nd Grade
• Victor, age 4

Property Information:

Colonia- El Sauzal
Time with property- 6 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- Yes

Family Story:

Maria has four children; the first two are from her first husband, but he was a drunk & physically abusive. Maria was the one who had to work and provide for the family as he wouldn't. Maria left her first husband and went to live with her Mom, but he wouldn't leave her alone, so her Mom sent her to live with relatives in Ensenada.

Maria quickly found a job and sent for her children who were still with her Mother. She later had to find her own place to rent with her children and met Manuel. Maria and Manuel got married and have had a son together, Luis. They have lived in rented houses ever since, the one they're currently living in they have been renting for 6 years. The owner of the house sold them a piece of his land where the house is; they only owe 5000 pesos ($345) and it is theirs. They pay 1000 pesos ($69) a month in rent, but are very excited to not have to pay rent and have a place that is a home of their own. They will finally be able to pay off their land!

The house where they live is in very bad conditions, but they have decided to stay there all this time because it is very close to where Manuel works. Maria also works to help with their expenses, she works every day in the mornings for 4 hours at the same fishery where Manuel works. In the afternoons, Maria is with the children. Yajaira, the oldest, is a single mom. Her son is Victor, who is 4 years old. Yajaira doesn't work because she stays home to care for her son and the others while her parents are working.

Georgetown UMC- Macias Padilla Family

Build Dates: June 24-28, 2015

Family Information:

Mother- Erika

• Age 28
• Profession: Sells Secondhand Clothing
• Weekly Salary: $41.65 (for 3 days)

Children-

• Fernanda, age 6, 1st Grade
• Cristofer, age 5, Kindergarten

Property Information:

Colonia- Fracc. Santa Cruz
Time with property- 
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Erika is a single mother who has suffered a lot but has been able to overcome those difficult situations. She comes from a family where there had been a lot of abuse. At the age of 20, she became pregnant by her then boyfriend, but he didn't want to take responsibility for it and ended the relationship. She was left alone with her oldest, Fernanda. She was living with her father on a ranch and for a time, had been working as a maid cleaning someone's house.  During that time, she met another man and went to live with him in a free union and became pregnant again.

Erika never felt loved and accepted by the father's family and they had many problems, including the father not wanting to work, so they separated. She later met Pedro, her third "husband" which she thought would be the last and that they'd be together for life; Erika was happy and everything seemed to be going really well. But after almost four years together, he left leaving only a note for her that said he left because he couldn't stay with her and all the responsibilities with the 2 children that weren't his biological kids.

For a third time, Erika found herself alone with the responsibility of two children to care for. Sometimes one of the men send her 300 pesos ($20 apx.) for food. Erika lives next to her father who also tries to help her out and giver her moral support. Erika works selling secondhand clothes and has no set income to rely on. She works three days a week and makes around $40.

She is paying off her land that a friend sold to her, which has allowed her to be able to pay whatever she can when she can as long as she pays $35 each month. Erika and the kids live in a very small house that is made of pieces of scrap wood and tarps/canvas. For her it is very difficult to build herself a home.

Faith Assembly- Baes Leal Family

Build Dates: June 22-25, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Joel

• Age 46
• Profession: Field Worker
• Daily Salary: $10.40

Mother- Yolanda

• Age 39
• Profession: Field Worker
• Daily Salary: $10.40

 

 

Children-

• Carlos, age 15, Jr High
• Miriam, age 13
• Cristian, age 8, 3rd Grade

Property Information:

Colonia- Tinajitas
Time with property- 3 months
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Joel and Yolanda are from Sinaloa and have been married almost four years. They came to Ensenada just over one year ago, running away from many problems. Joel isn't the father of the 3 children. Their father is in jail because he was accused of sexually abusing the two oldest, Carlos and Miriam. Their father started to be physically abusive of Carlos as well, and that is when he confessed to his mother that their father had been touching them inappropriately. Yolanda immediately turned him in and he was then imprisoned. Their father is still in prison, but he has a brother involved in gangs who sent them a message threatening to kill Yolanda for putting his brother in jail.

Joel and Yolanda had to leave and they came here to Ensenada where they didn't know anyone, without any money, and without telling any relatives where they are. Joel is doing what he can to protect Yolanda and the children. When they arrived in Ensenada, they asked a church to house them, then lived with neighbors, and lastly, found an abandoned house without any doors. They cleaned up the house and moved in. When the owner of the house showed up, they were able to come to an agreement that allowed them to stay but look for their own place. They bought a piece of land on credit close to where they had been living and Joel built a small place for them on the land with old pieces of wood and scrap plywood, and a tarp to use as the roof.

They have lived there for the past three months. Joel works in construction and is hired by contract. When he has no job, he goes and works in the fields. Yolanda also works in the fields when there is work in order for them to have more income to use to make the land payments each month. The income they make from working in the fields is barely enough to cover land payments, food and basic living expenses.

Note: The children do not know that Yolanda told HOH about the sexual abuse that happened.