True U Red- Vazquez Vazquez Family

Build Dates: April 30th & May 1st

Family Information:

Mother- Demetria

• Age: 32
• Profession: Factory Worker
• Weekly Salary: $44 approx.

Children-

• Dennise, 13 yrs, 7th Grade (girl)
• Cesar, 11 yrs, 5th Grade (boy)
• Abigail, 4 yrs (Kindergarten)

Property Information:

Colonia- San Francisco
Time with property- 1 year
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Demetria is originally from Guerrero, but her family's economic situation was not good, so she decided to leave and come to the North in search of better opportunities. She grew up with just her father. Her mother abandoned them when her and her siblings were young. Demetria came to Ensenada looking for work and found a job at a sewing factory. At the factory she met her ex-husband. They got together, had 2 children, separated for one year, got back together and had another child, and they separated again. Julio, her ex-husband, was physically abusive and she couldn't live like that anymore and decided it was best to leave. When they were together, Julio had a house where they all lived. But after he started hitting her and she left, she had to go and look for a place to live. Demetria's sister helped her find a piece of land and helped her with the first payment. Demetria had to find work again because Julio only supports them with a small amount for the children, between $10 and $18 a week, and that is not enough for her to not have to work. The house where they are currently living is made of wood with a roof. They have lived here for one year. Demetria has no plans to get back together with her ex and has no desire to live with him in that situation ever again.

St. Luke's- Perez Casillas Family

Build Dates: April 22nd & 23rd

Family Information:

Father- Jorge

• Age: 37
• Profession: Tire Service Tech.
• Weekly Salary: $60 appx.

Mother- Noemi

• Age: 26
• Profession: N/A
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Jorge, 2 yrs (boy)
• Melisa, 5 yrs, Preschool (girl)
• Alexa, 7 yrs, 2nd Grade (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- Maneadero
Time with property- 3 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Noemi and Jorge have been married for 9 years. They lived in a small trailer that was borrowed to them from family members, but after two years, those family members kicked them out. They had nowhere else to go, but Jorge was able to find a job at a tire service shop and found land which they could buy on credit. Little by little they were able to buy materials to build a small house. The house is built with wood and concrete and the roof is made of recycled wood. Noemi stays home taking care of her children while Jorge works. Jorge works servicing tires from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm, and earns a salary of approximately $60 a week. This salary they try to stretch out as much as they can to cover the costs of food, their household expenses, land payments, and the children's needs. They want to be able to have a house where they aren't cold. 

Westside Faith- Ledezma Sandoval Family

Build Dates: April 22 & 23

Family Information:

Mother- Martina

• Age: 48
• Profession: Housekeeper
• Weekly Salary: $27 appx.

Children-

• Martina, 6 yrs, 1st Grade (girl)
• Daniela, 10 yrs, 5th Grade (girl)
• Maria, 17 yrs (girl)
• Maria de la Paz, 18 yrs (girl)
• Julia, 25 yrs (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- Zorrillo
Time with property- 28 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- Yes

Family Story:

Martina is originally from Nayarit. She moved to Ensenada with her husband 28 years ago. It was then that they bought the land where she currently lives. They currently live in a small house which is in very bad conditions, with a dirt floor. She lives there with her 5 daughters, 3 of which are minors and only 2 of those 3 are in school. Her oldest daughter, Julia, was in an accident and a year ago and broke her leg. She still has complications from that accident. It wasn't that long ago that Martina's husband passed away from genetic liver disease.  Martina has since been alone with her daughters, and they all continue to live at home with her. In order to provide for her family, she works cleaning houses for her sisters. They give her a small amount in return and this is used up buying their food. When she is working, her 17 year old daughter Maria cares for the youngest girls and takes them to school. Maria de la Paz has a 2 month old baby and the two of them also live with Martina.

PEM- Cuellar Camacho Family

Build Dates: April 9th & 10th

Family Information:

Father- Raul

• Age: 59
• Profession: Handyman/Construction
• Weekly Salary: $70

Mother- Rosaura

• Age: 38
• Profession: Pensioned off due to accident at work, injured her spine and suffers from hernias
• Monthly Salary: $50

Children-

• Jose, 18 yrs
• Sury, 12 yrs, 7th Grade (girl, asthmatic)
• Juan, 62 yrs, suffered from cancer in his hand and lost one lung, is unable to work
• Rosalinda, 59 yrs, suffers from high blood pressure and cannot walk a lot/well

Property Information:

Colonia- Ruiz Cortinez
Time with property- 1 yr 9 months
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Rosaura left her ex-husband after she found him in bed with another woman. She moved to Ensenada and brought her parents with her.Rosaura's parents, Juan and Rosalinda, suffer health wise and haven't been able to work. Her father Juan had cancer in his hand, recovered, and is now having problems with his lungs and had one removed. Her mother, Rosalinda, suffers from high blood pressure and obesity. She is unable to work and cannot walk very much because of that. Rosalinda and Rosaura will make flour tortillas to sell when they need extra money. Rosaura has 2 children who also have problems. The youngest daughter suffers from obstructive sleep apnea and can fall asleep at any moment, in any place. Her son Jose has problems with his hearing and vision. Rosaura decided to live in free union with Raul. Raul has supported her financially and helped however he could.

UPPC- Moreno Ruiz Family

Build Dates: April 10th & 11th

Family Information:

Mother- Manuela

• Age: 35
• Profession: Housekeeper
• Weekly Salary: $47 appx.

Children-

• Perla, 12 yrs, 5th Grade (girl)
• Diego, 11 yrs, 4th Grade (boy)
• Teresa de Jesus, Manuela's older sister with disabilities who lives with them

Property Information:

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

Family Story:

Manuela is originally from Chiapas. She graduated from junior high and came to Ensenada where she intended to finish her studies, but was unable to and dropped out before 18 to work in a factory. She met the father of her children while working there and they were married. A year later they had their first child, and a year after, they had their second. They were together for another year after Diego was born and were divorced. The father had no desire to hold down a job and provide for his family. Manuela left with her two children and they found a place to rent. After three years there they moved because someone else let them live in their house for 2 years. During this time she was offered a piece of land on credit and she accepted and got the land. They have been living on their land now for 6 months. Manuela works cleaning houses earning approximately $47 a week. They live in a small house that a man helped them to build. Manuela has an older sister, Teresa, who is disabled that lives with them. Teresa was born deaf and mute. She also has a problem with her neck. When Teresa was a baby, she crawled backwards. When this happened, their parents took Teresa to different doctors, but nobody could tell them what was wrong. Manuela allows her children to spend the weekends with their father and they receive$15 from him every 15 days so the children have an allowance to buy whatever they need.

Mercy Road- Caloca Inda Family

Build Dates: March 3rd & 4th

Family Information:

Mother- Rocio

• Age: 28
• Profession: Housekeeper
• Weekly Salary: $30

Children-

• Hector Daniel, 12 yrs
• Lesli, 9 yrs
• Jonathan, 5 yrs

Property Information:

Colonia- 89
Time with property- 10 years 

Family Story:

Rocio was 16 years old when she began her relationship with Hector, her ex who was 5 years older than her. She was so young that she had to change her paperwork in order to get a job at a factory. They lived in a rented house until they got pregnant and went to live with Rocio's mother. While she was pregnant, they got a piece of land on credit and 3 months later they built a small house and moved to their land. They had their son Hector, but at the age of 2, he wasn't well and Rocio had to quit work to care for him. They took him to a hospital TJ and he was diagnosed with Hepatitis. During this time Hector, the father, was drinking a lot and started to abuse Rocio physically, making things even more difficult for Rocio. The child began treatments for the hepatitis and got better and Rocio was able to look for work again. When Rocio gto pregnant with their third child, her husband Hector was so angry that he would hit her regularly. Rocio's mother didn't believe that this was happening to her. Hector eventually left Rocio alone with the children and Rocio didn't want anything more to do with him. Rocio has continued to invest in her property, but the house that they live in is in very bad conditions. It leaks and is full of humidity. Rocio works cleaning houses and earns approximately $30 a week. At one point, Rocio was struggling so much that she had no way to provide for her children or foodshe had to send them to a children's home so they could be fed. Rocio is also not doing well healthwise and needs to get some lab studies done that the public health doesn't cover.

Simi Valley Church- Toribio Cruz Family

Build Dates:April 1st-3rd

Family Information:

Father- Santiago

• Age: 43
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $56 approximately

Mother- Severina

• Age: 33
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $56 approximately

Children-

• Cecilia, 15 yrs (girl)
• Nieve, 14 yrs (girl)
• Ernesto, 12 yrs, 5th Grade (boy)
• Araceli, 7 yrs, 2nd Grade (girl)
• Veronica, 5 yrs (girl)
• Irene, 4 yrs (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- Maneadero
Time with property- 3 yrs
Electricity- No
Running Water- Yes

Family Story:

Santiago and Severina met in Oaxaca and have been married for 15 years. They started their life together in Oaxaca, where they had 3 children. Santiago worked in the fields there, but the economy in the South is very bad and they decided to move north and they came to Ensenada 10 years ago. They rented a home for 8 months and decided to go to the USA illegally with the hope of being able to do more. They sent their children back to Oaxaca because it was not safe for them to go and only Santiago and Severina crossed into the USA. They lived there for 2 years. During those 2 years, Santiago would send money to his brother to pay for their land in Ensneada. During their time in the United States, they also had 3 more children. They have been back in Ensenada for 3 years now with all of their children and are trying to make a good life for themselves. Santiago has always worked in the fields where they salary levels are very low. While he was working in the United States, Santiago saved enough money to be able to build a home here in Ensenada. But his mom became ill in Oaxaca and they left the USA to go back to Oaxaca and be with her and they used up all of their savings. Until this day, they have not been able to save again and have not been able to build a better home than the one they have been living in.

MA Shelter Cove- Ramirez Heron Family

Build Dates: March 28 & 29

Family Information:

Father- Jorge Misael

• Age: 30
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $53 approximately

Mother- Lourdes

• Age: 24
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Brayan Usiel, 2 yrs (boy)
• Eva Luz, 4 yrs (girl)
• Jorge, 8yrs, 3rd Grade (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- Las Palmas
Time with property- 4 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Misael and Lourdes met while working in the fields. They became a couple and were married and started a family. Before meeting Lourdes, Misael had previously been married and Jorge Humberto is from that marriage. Misael and Lourdes have had two children together. The land where they currently live was bought by Misael and his sister, and they were the ones paying for it over 6 years. The land is paid off and Misael and his family have been living their for 4 years now. 4 years ago they built a small home from wood, plastic for the roof, and a dirt floor. They have struggled ever since becoming a family, but have hope that one day they will have a proper home for their children and be able to provide their children with a better life. Misael works in the fields watering the plants and receives minimum wage which is needed to cover all of their expenses. At the moment, Lourdes stays home to care for her family. Sometimes she has needed to find work cleaning houses when they are short on money.

MA Shelter Cove- Heron Florencio Family

Build Dates: March 28 & 29

Family Information:

Father- Emiliano

• Age:
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $47

Mother- Reina

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

Children-

• Julio, 10 yrs, 5th Grade (boy)
• Angela, 10 yrs, 4th Grade (girl)
• Oswaldo, 6 yrs, Kindergarten (boy)
• Areli, 4 yrs, Kindergarten (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- Paraiso
Time with property- 2 years 

Family Story:

Emiliano and Reina met while working in the fields and became a couple and started living together. They moved into a room that their boss lent them. They continued to work and started their family. When Reina was unable to continue working, the boss kicked them out of the room because he wanted that both of them were working for in return for the room. When this happened, they needed to now live on the salary of only one person as well as pay the rent each month and find a place they could afford. They decided it was better for them to buy a piece of land on credit and build whatever they could. They have been unable to build a home. They are currently living in one room that was built from pallets. In that room live 8 people, they sleep there and cook there.

MA Youth Unlimited- Hernandez Pacheco Family

Build Dates: March 28th-30th

Family Information:

Father- Jose Luis

• Age: 23
• Profession: Factory Worker
• Weekly Salary: $53 approximately

Mother- Maria

• Age: 23
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Daira, 4 yrs
• Dulce, 1 yr

Property Information:

Colonia- Jesus Carrillo
Time with property- 5 years

Family Story:

Jose Luis and Maria are originally from Oaxaca and met here in Ensenada because they worked together. Jose Luis attended a Christian church and he once spoke with his pastor and asked for advice. Jose wanted to get married and his pastor told him to pray about it and that God would send him the perfect wife. He later met Maria and after dating for 6 months, they got married and started their family. After they had their first child, Daira, they had a son, Jose Manuel. When Jose Manuel was 1 1/2 years old, they took the baby to see the doctor one day because he had a fever and wasn't doing well. The doctor in Maneadero said that the baby was fine, and that it was just an infection and with a prescription shot he would get better and they could return home. After returning home, the baby started to feel very cold and the next day he had gotten worse. They took him back to the hospital, this time to Ensenada, but he didn't get better. He was hospitalized and later passed away. It was something very difficult for Jose Luis and Maria to deal with. But their faith in God helped them to overcome. After some time they had another daughter, and this brought joy back to their home. God has given them strength to get through whatever life hands them. They say that the baby looks a lot like their son who died. This family is currently living in a small 1 room house built out of wood. Jose Luis has faith that they will one day have a proper home.

MA Youth Unlimited- Mendoza Gonzalez Family

Build Dates: March 28th-30th

Family Information:

Father- Francisco

• Age: 37
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $58 approximately

Mother- Rosa

• Age: 28
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Gonzalo, 11 yrs
• Norma, 8 yrs
• Sebastian, 3 yrs
• Nancy, 7 months

Property Information:

Colonia- Mira Mar

Family Story:

Francisco and Rosa are originally from Oaxaca and came to Ensenada just about two years ago. They came looking for work and found it working in the vegetable fields. They rented a small house that was in very bad conditions and then had to move to another home. They decided to buy a piece of land on credit and have a place of their own. But with Francisco's salary, they barely have enough to cover the monthly land payments, buy food, clothes for the children, and the basic necessities.  Rosa stays home to care for their children and take the older kids to school. The house where they currently live is very small, dangerous, and cold. The walls are old and the floor is all dirt. Francisco works every day from 7am until 3 or 4 in the afternoon, Monday-Friday. This family is going through difficult times and do not have enough to cover all their needs.

Walk the Talk- Vazquez Pacheco Family

Build Dates: March 17 & 18

Family Information:

Father- Angel

• Age: 36
• Profession: Factory Worker
• Weekly Salary: $50 approximately

Mother- Norma Veronica

• Age: 37
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Daniela, 11 yrs, 6th Grade (girl)
• Britani, 14 yrs, 2nd Grade (girl)
• Natali, 17 yrs, High School (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- Durango
Time with property- 6 years
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Norma Veronica is originally from Nogales, Sonora. Veronica was previously married to the father of 3 of her 4 daughters; but their marriage didn't last. Her ex was physically abusive and she decided it was for the best that they get divorced. It was then that she came to Ensenada to live with her grandfather and work in a factory. While working there she met Angel, her current husband, and the father of her youngest daughter. Veronica and Angel have been a family now for 13 years. For the first 9 years together, they lived with Angel's sister. They later bought their own land on credit and have been living there for 4 years in a trailer that was lent to them. One month ago they had to return the trailer and were left to find another place to live. Angel works in a factory and receives a salary of about $50 a week. His salary is insufficient to cover their household expenses, land payments, and be able to build themselves a home. For this reason, they still do not have a home of their own. Norma Veronica stays home to care for her family. Thing have recently gotten tough for this family, but they have faith that they will be able to get through.

Westside Kings- Luna Lucero Family

Build Dates: March 22 & 23

Family Information:

Father- Montserrat

• Age: 24
• Profession: Factory Worker
• Weekly Salary: $76

Mother- Adriana

• Age: 23
• Profession: N/A
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Osvaldo, 6 yrs, Kindergarten (boy)
• Estrella, 3 yrs (girl)
• Orlando, 1 yr 10 months

Property Information:

Colonia- Veladero
Time with property- 
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Agape Christian Church- Sanchez Barrera Family

Build Dates: March 18th & 19th

Family Information:

Father- Victor

• Age: 28
• Profession: Laborer
• Weekly Salary: $58-70

Mother- Luz Angelica

• Age: 23
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Angelica,7rs, 2nd Grade (girl)
• Ismael, 4 yrs (boy)
• Lorena, 2 yrs (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- Plan de Ayala
Time with property- 4 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- Yes

Family Story:

Luz Angelica is originally from Sinaloa. She came to Ensenada with her mother when she was 10 years old. When she was 13 years she fell in love with a man who was 29 years old. They got together and Luz had her oldest daughter Angelica with him. A couple years later they had Ismael. When Ismael was only 10 days old, her husband was in an accident and passed away. Luz then had to find help to care for her kids while she went to work in the fields. Some time passed and she met Victor and they began a relationship together. Victor accepted Luz and her two children, later having his own child, Lorena. Luz already had land that she is still currently making payments on. Victor works as a laborer and his salary varies. Luz is a stay at home mom. The place where they live is is made of old scrap wood and things that has been given to them. It has holes and leaks with the rain. It is difficult for this family to be able to build a proper home.

MA Neighborhood Christian School- Ramirez Reyes Family

Build Dates: March 14th-16th

Family Information:

Son- Alejandro

• Age: 21
• Profession: Produce Packer
• Weekly Salary: $115

Mother- Epifania

• Age: 45
• Profession: N/A
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Rosa, 18 yrs (girl)
• Demetria, 15 yrs, 8th Grade (girl)
• Lucia, 12 yrs, 7th Grade (girl) 
• Aurelia, 9 yrs, 4th Grade (girl)
• Margarita, 7 yrs, 1st Grade (girl)
• Lizbeth, 4 yrs, Preschool (girl)
• Rodrigo, 1 yr (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- Maneadero
Time with property- 3 months
Electricity- NO
Running Water- NO

Family Story:

Epifania lives alone with her 9 children. 5 months ago she separated from her alcoholic husband. She is originally from Oaxaca, but moved to Ensenada 6 years ago looking for work. When they came, they had 6 children; the youngest 3 were born here in Ensenada. When Epifania and her husband split, Alejandro and Rosa had to help provide for the family while Epifania stays home caring for the younger children, taking them to school and feeding them. They currently live in a small house made of old wood scraps. Except for the oldest 2 who are working, all of the children are in school.

MA Crosshill- Rodriguez Meza Family

Build Dates: March 14th & 15th

Family Information:

Father- Gabriel

• Age: 47
• Profession: Waiter
• Weekly Salary: $56

Mother- Estela

• Age: 45
• Profession: N/A
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Gabriela, 22 yrs, Special Needs `

Property Information:

Colonia- Piedras Negras
Time with property- 15+ years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- Yes

Family Story:

Gabriel and Estela have been married for 22 years. They have a daughter who has special needs. Gabriela is mentally handicapped, doesn't talk, suffers from neurological problems, brain calcification, and is 100% dependent on her mother. Estela is unable to work due to the fact that she has to be caring for her daughter. For 6 years this family lived in a rented home and then with in-laws. Gabriel's mom ended up leaving them a piece of land as inheritance when she passed away. This is where they have been living and built the home they have had for many years. The home is made from old pieces of scrap wood and does not have a proper foundation. 

Southgate- Martinez Dominguez Family

Build Dates: March 12th & 13th

Family Information:

Mother- Lucesita

• Age: 33
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $53

Children-

• Kristen Yoana, 15 yrs, 9th Grade
• Estefani, 9 yrs, 4th Grade
• Alan, 9 yrs, 4th Grade
• Jesus, 6 yrs, 1st Grade
• Edwin, 3 yrs

Property Information:

Colonia-
Time with property- 
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Chicago Hope Green- Preciado Mercado Family

Build Dates: March 7th-9th

Family Information:

Mother- Kenia

• Age: 28
• Profession: Housekeeper
• Weekly Salary: $70

Children-

• Brian, 9 yrs, 4th Grade (boy)
• Bella Rosa, 7 yrs, 2nd Grade (girl)
• Edgar, 5 yrs, Kindergarten
• Eduardo, 5 yrs, Kindergarten (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- 2 Octubre
Time with property- 2 months
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Kenia is from Jalisco and that is where she met the father of her children. She left him because he was physically and emotionally abusive with her. Her children, in particular the eldest, were the witnesses to this abuse. One day they saw him hit their mom so hard that she needed to go to the hospital. An aunt went to visit them and realized what all Kenia was going through. Kenia weighed only about 105 pounds and going through hell. That aunt gave Kenia $300 and helped her leave and move to Ensenada with her mother five years ago. They arrived in Ensenada and were given a house to live in for a short amount of time. Kenia sought out work and tried to look for a way to be able to provide for her family. Her ex-husband thought that she would return , but because of her pride, she never went back and never asked him for help. He has sent support to his kids on very few occasions. One month ago her uncle asked for the house to be returned to him and so she went to the bank and took out a loan of almost $600 to be able to build a house on the land she had bought on credit two years ago. Kenia's mom, along with some of her friends, helped her to make the move to her land. Kenia works as a housekeeper and the salary she makes is used to make the land payments and care for her children. It has been very difficult for Kenia to provide for her children and make a better life for them.

Chicago Hope Blue- Rodriguez Sandoval Family

Build Dates: March 7th-9th

Family Information:

Father- Rogelio

• Age: 28
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $53

Mother- Vanessa

• Age: 28
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Esperanza Guadalupe, 13 yrs, 7th Grade (girl)
• Yomeine, 10 yrs, 4th Grade (boy)
• Rogelio Ramon, 1 yr (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 4 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Vanessa was a single mother of two children. She was married to a man for 10 years, but he mistreated her and she decided to leave him after her daughter witnessed her get hit by the father. Vanessa had started to become afraid of him before that though and thought things could only get worse. Sometimes he would take their daughter Esperanza and make her sleep outside the house. Vanessa left with the two kids and went to live with her parents for two years. Vanessa started to work in the fields and is where she met Rogelio five years ago. Four years ago they were given a place to live on the land where they are currently living. It was just two months ago when they were able to buy it and make it their own. The house they built out of scrap wood and tarps. Their situation is a difficult one. They do not have enough money to cover all their expenses and build a proper home. The desire of Vanessa and Rogelio is to be able to give their children safe place they can call home and be together.

Chicago Hope Red- Mendoza Palma Family

Build Dates: March 7th-9th

Family Information:

Father- Jesus

• Age: 55
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $70

Mother- Maria de Jesus

• Age: 35
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Destin Bryan, 15 yrs, 7th Grade (boy)
• Britani, 13 yrs, 6th Grade (girl)
• Lesli Nahomi, 11 yrs, 6th Grade (girl)
• Josue Miguel, 7 yrs, 2nd Grade (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- Maneadero
Time with property- 6 months
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Maria de Jesus was married to Jose her husband of 13 years. During those 13 years together, she, and the kids, suffered from physical abuse. For this reason she decided to leave him before it got worse. They were living at a ranch called Agua Caliente in Ojos Negros. When Maria left Jose, she came to Ensenada to live with one of her sisters. They lived there for a year and a half before moving to a house they lived in while it was on the market to be sold. The house sold and they once again had to go live with Maria's sister. At this time, she met Jesus and they got together. With the help of Jesus, they bought a piece of land on credit and built a place for them to live in; they continue to pay off their land. Jesus doesn't have steady work to provide a stable income for his family and Maria doesn't work as she stays home to care for her children. The children have suffered from internal trauma due to the abuse they received from their biological father and have had to go to therapy sessions with their school psychologist. This has also caused them to fall behind in their school.