Lopez Hernandez - EastLake Church (Red Team)

Date Build: Saturday 23th - Sunday 24th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Bersabeth

Age: 33 years old

FATHER: Elias

Age: 36 years old

Job: construction worker

Salary weekly: $150 US

CHILDREN:

Elias - 13 years old

Esmeralda - 11 years old

Angie - 9 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Hello everyone! We are the López Hernández family. My name is Bersabeth Karina Hernández Hernández. I'm married to Elías de Jesús López Álvarez. We have three children: Elias Heriberto, Bersabeth Esmeralda, and Angie Kareli. We are from Tapachula, Chiapas, a city in southern Mexico. 2 years ago we came to Tijuana with the dream of building a future and a stable home for our children. We started by renting a small apartment, but the rent was too high. So we decided to buy a piece of land and moved there. At first it was difficult and a challenge to save for the down payment, but we managed. My husband works as a construction helper. I sometimes help out by selling used clothes at the markets to cover our expenses. Our house is simple - a small wooden room, 3 x 3 meters, with no windows. I have an outdoor kitchen covered with a small tarp. My children sleep on an air mattress on the floor because of our limited space. Nevertheless, we are happy and thankful to God for giving us hope. As parents, one of our greatest concerns is the safety of our children. Even though we struggle financially we do everything we can to ensure that they live healthy and happy lives. December brings heavy rains and strong winds and our house is fragile. We are a Christian family, and we pray to God for a better home. We leave it in His hands and feel blessed for this opportunity. We have faith and trust that He will hear our prayers.

Guerrero Salgado - Team Olson (Yellow Team)

Date Build: Saturday 30th, November - Sunday 01th, December 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

FATHER: Martin

Age: 38 years old

Job: pensioner

Salary weekly: $60 US

CHILDREN:

Dairy - 16 years old

Camilo - 14 years old

Maritza - 12 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

To Whom It May Concern, My name is Martín Ismael Guerrero Avendaño, and I am 38 years old. I am writing to share my situation and ask for support. I am visually impaired due to a degenerative condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which doctors say will likely take most of my vision by age 40. Since 2012, my sight has worsened each year, making daily life increasingly challenging. I have three children: Dairy, 16; Camilo, 14; and Maritza, 12. They are my responsibility since my wife, Rosdaly Salgado, who was my sole support, passed away in 2000. I continued working until 2017, when my vision decline forced me to stop. I worked for a time on the beach, but in 2022, I fractured my foot, requiring nearly a year and a half of recovery. This injury, along with my visual impairment, has kept me from working. My children are growing, and I would like they can continue their education without worrying about having a stable home. We currently rent, but our landlord has asked us to vacate, leaving us with limited time to find another place. We found a rental, but it has poor conditions, with dampness and safety issues. I own a piece of land I’ve worked on, but with no income, I haven’t been able to build a proper home. My children and I live with my in-laws, who provide food and clothing for us. They are in their fifties, without a steady income, selling vegetables at the market, which barely covers basic necessities. This is why I am asking for help to build a home for my children and in-laws a safe place where my children can focus on their studies and have hope for their future. Our family has endured many hardships and losses, but we continue to stand strong with faith in God. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, and I pray that God may touch your hearts.

Camey Acosta - Venture Church (Red Team)

Date Build: Saturday 30th, November - Sunday 01th, December 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

FATHER: Lizbeth

Age: 28 years old

Job: street seller

Salary weekly: $130 US

CHILDREN:

Jesus - 11 years old

Andres - 7 years old

Arleth - 1 year old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Hello, my name is Lizbeth Acosta. I am 28 years old, a single mother of three children. I am originally from Sinaloa, a state in central Mexico, and I have been living in Tijuana for three years. When I arrived here, I came with my sisters, and with their help and my parents' support, I was able to secure a piece of land. Recently, we managed to build a room there for my children and me. It has been very challenging to care for my children, especially because one of them has a disability. He needs therapy, but it has been difficult for me to take him. I would be immensely grateful if you could provide us with a home, as this would greatly improve our lives. May God always bless you.

Palma Carrillo - Venture Church (Blue Team)

Date Build: Saturday 30th, November - Sunday 01th, December 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

FATHER: Maria

Age: 37 years old

Job: house cleaner

Salary weekly: $130 US

CHILDREN:

Corina - 17 years old

Martin - 6 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Hello, my name is Maria Guadalupe Carrillo Chavez, and I am from Guerrero, a state in southern Mexico. I would like to share part of my story. My family and I came to Tijuana searching for new job opportunities. We had two main reasons for moving here: the first was that my father lost his life in the line of duty, and the second was that a hurricane destroyed everything we had. At that time, there wasn’t much support available, as there is today under a different government. Work dried up, and we couldn’t recover. We tried to get assistance so my mother could receive a pension, but due to corruption, we were unsuccessful. I have two children and, until three years ago, I lived with my husband. He left us to start a new family. The beliefs and traditions where I’m from taught me that marriage is for life and that a woman must endure everything. I was married young, at 16, and endured abuse from my ex-husband and his family. I hoped that moving to a new city would improve things, but it didn’t. When we lived together, we could both afford rent, but once he left, I felt overwhelmed, unable to cover both the children’s expenses and rent on my own. I became depressed, feeling abandoned and guilty for his leaving. After 20 years with him, I felt my life had no purpose, and I feared being alone and failing to support my children. His family blamed me, saying I hadn’t taken care of him and deserved what was happening. For over a year, I tormented myself with guilt, and my depression started to affect my children. I moved in with my sister to share rent and I received support from a neighbor who invited me to her church, where we prayed together. I asked God to stay close to me, and that gave me strength to start over. I even decided to buy a piece of land on a payment plan and I have been paying it off for two years now. Unfortunately, I lack the resources to buy materials to build a house. Between rent and food, my entire income is used up. Currently, I live with my sister, her husband, my mother, my two children and I—six of us in one house. My brother-in-law drinks heavily, and I worry about the example he sets for my children. His loud music keeps us up at night, adding to the difficulty of living together. It pains me not to be able to provide my children with a decent home of our own, as we live in crowded conditions and don’t feel comfortable voicing our concerns since it’s not our home. A neighbor offered me some wood he no longer needs, and I’m figuring out how to transport it to my piece of land to build a small room. I just want my children to be warm and safe, as my younger son has respiratory issues. I also have hypertension, though thankfully, it’s under control, allowing me to keep working. Thank you for reading my letter, and I hope to be considered for your program. May God bless you.

Toba Omocoli - Venture Church (Green Team)

Date Build: Saturday 30th, November - Sunday 01th, December 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

FATHER: Denisse

Age: 35 years old

Job: electronics factory

Salary weekly: $110 US

CHILDREN:

Joana - 16 years old

Luis - 8 years old

Cristina - 4 months

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Hello, Homes of Hope. It’s a pleasure to greet you, and I hope you are well. Currently, my family and I are staying in an apartment lent to us at a low cost by a friend while we work on building a home on my own land. My family consists of four members: my daughter Joana, 16; my son Luis, 8; and my youngest daughter, Cristina, who is only 4 months old. I am a widow; I lost Cristina’s father nearly a year ago. Since then, I have been struggling to move forward alone with my children, as her father, who worked as a taxi driver, used to help me financially. I have been working at a factory for three and a half years, but my salary is low, which prevents me from financing the construction of our home. Joana’s and Luis’s fathers were absent after they were born, so I have had to raise my three children on my own. Joana is in high school, Luis is in primary school, and little Cristina is in daycare. My family and I have longed to own our own home for a long time, but with our limited funds, it seems very difficult to achieve soon. If we received the help you offer, it would transform our lives. I thank God that you are considering our case. Due to lack of funds for rent, which is expensive, and transportation issues, I have had to move several times. I recently bought a piece of land, and while I am still leveling it, I hope to build at least one room and a temporary bathroom on it someday. Thank you very much for your attention and for sharing God’s word. I have been a believer since I was young because my family is as well, and those beliefs have helped me overcome difficult times. Thank you once again, and may God always bless you.

Hernandez Caamaño - Team Olson (Purple Team)

Date Build: Saturday 30th, November - Sunday 01th, December 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Georgina

Age: 46 years old

Job: donut seller

Salary weekly: $30 US

FATHER: Fidel

Age: 56 years old

Job: tortilla factory

Salary weekly: $90 US

CHILDREN:

Anali - 16 years old

Jorge - 11 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Hello, my name is Fidel Hernández. I am from the state of Veracruz in southern Mexico. My story is long, but I will share a little of it here. Years ago, my first partner was diagnosed with cancer, and sadly, she passed away, leaving me to care for our two children alone. My oldest was 12, and the youngest was 2; today, he is 11. Lacking resources, I moved to Tijuana, where I met my current partner. She is from Oaxaca, also in southern Mexico.

Hello, my name is Georgina Gómez, and I am from Oaxaca. I came to Tijuana hoping to find work, but my health has made it challenging. I have diabetes, and I suffered an arm injury and a back strain. My daughter is also diabetic; she was diagnosed at 10, and since then, she has had hospitalizations that require my care, making it difficult for me to find steady work. My partner and I face many hardships, especially financially. Often, our income is not enough for rent and food, so one day, desperate, we moved to a own piece of land. We now live there in a house without a roof, with only a few walls. Those first nights, we were cold and wet from the wind and rain, unable to sleep, and we all fell ill. Our neighbors helped by lending us a tarp, sharing electricity, and even providing food. Thanks to God, we now have a roof and electricity, but we still struggle with basic needs and food due to medical expenses and payments for a stove and the land. Sometimes, I pretend not to hear when the kids ask for dinner, but I tell them to have faith that one day things will change, and when I can work, I will treat them to a meal. I share with them that life is hard but remind them of God’s love and provision. I worry because I cannot afford my daughter’s medicine; she needs two insulin and a glucometer, but we cannot buy these things. I knew about Homes of Hope by a neighbor, who told us that we might qualify for assistance. This news filled us with hope. We pray to God for blessings, and we are grateful to all those who make this work possible. May God bless you for your kindness and love.

Guardian Molina - Crossroads Christian Church (Blue Team)

Date Build: Saturday 23th - Sunday 24th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Cinthia

Age: 29 years old

FATHER: Jesus

Age: 35 years old

Job: construction worker

Salary weekly: $220 US

CHILDREN:

Luis - 10 years old

Sahid - 6 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Hello, I hope this message finds you well. I am grateful to God for the wonderful work you do, and I pray you continue to be blessed so that you may help the families who truly have need. With all my heart, I hope to be one of the families blessed by receiving this gift from God. We are originally from Guanajuato, a state in southern Mexico. My husband’s parents decided to move to Rosarito, where one of their older sons lives, and he allowed us to stay in his home for ten years. We lived in one room with two beds and our belongings, and our children shared the room with us. This situation has affected our marriage, as we had no privacy, and I felt that our family was falling apart. Our eldest son has asthma and requires medical checkups and medication every two months, which adds to our expenses. My husband is the sole provider, and besides supporting our family, he helps cover his father’s treatment costs, as he has chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The medication is expensive, and while I would love to support my husband with all these expenses, it is simply impossible for me. My husband works almost exclusively to cover medical bills and food expenses, and we often worry about not having enough for rent. We dream of having our own home where our children can have their own space and privacy. I know this would make them happy, as they often ask their dad when they’ll have their own room. This saddens him because he wants to provide us with a home but can’t due to financial constraints. Nevertheless, we feel that God has led us to Homes of Hope, giving us hope that we may one day have a home. For 12 years, I have dreamed of having our own house, and I know that being chosen would change our lives. I am grateful in advance, and the Guardian Molina family sends you blessings.

Zepahua Roque - Porter Family & Friends (Orange Team)

Date Build: Monday 25th - Tuesday 26th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Tomasa

Age: 44 years old

Job: house cleaning

Salary weekly: $160 US

FATHER: Jose

Age: 44 years old

Job: taxi driver

Salary weekly: $190 US

CHILDREN:

Diana - 12 years old

Bianca - 9 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Hello Homes of Hope, first of all, thank you for considering me for this program; I feel truly blessed. My name is Tomasa Roque, and my family is made up by my husband, José. We have been together for 13 years and we have two daughters, Diana Sofia, who is 12, and Bianca Vianey, who is 9. We live in a community called Granjas Familiares on our own land. Currently, we don’t have electricity or water. We get water from a truck that fills a tank for us, and we use a car battery to power our lights. A year ago, we were renting a room with a small kitchen and bathroom, which felt comfortable and safe for the girls. The house owners also lived there, and we had a good relationship with them. However, they eventually asked us to move out so they could continue construction. We asked to stay an additional six months, as our eldest daughter was about to finish primary school. During that time, we searched for land to buy, and in February 2023, we paid a deposit of $2,000 dollars. By the third month, we made our first monthly payment of $250 dollars, and two months later, we were able to build a floor and a septic tank. In July, we built a small room with just a door for protection, and by the end of the month, we moved onto our land. Since we had no neighbors or close acquaintances, our daughters couldn’t stay alone and are now always with us. When school started, I began taking my daughters in the morning, and my husband, who is a taxi driver, picks them up after school and takes them to work with him. Things were going well until the rains came, damaging the small room we had built. We rented a room temporarily during the rainy season, but when we returned, the place was still wet, and many of our things were no longer usable, so we had to make repairs. Now, Sofia is in secondary school, and Bianca is still in primary but at a different school, which adds expenses for uniforms and school supplies. I am sharing my story because I would like my daughters can have a safe, comfortable and with space house with enough room to store their clothes, do their homework, and play. They enjoy living on our land because they can play freely with their bikes and toys. I work cleaning houses, because this allows me to attend my daughters' school meetings. On weekends, I also work at a friend’s beauty salon, doing manicures and pedicures. Thank you so much for considering our request. I would be very grateful if you could help me provide my family with a better home. God bless you always.

Sanchez Perez - Eastside Church (Pink Team)

Date Build: Monday 25th - Wednesday 27th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Maribel

Age: 31 years old

FATHER: Elvis

Age: 32 years old

Job: driver

Salary weekly: $180 US

CHILDREN:

Brandon - 12 years old

Allison - 5 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Hello, Homes of Hope. We are the Sánchez-Pérez family, reaching out to request your support in providing a safe and dignified home for our children, Brandon Ismael and Allison Vaitiare. Our family its made up by mom, dad, children, and grandma, and we are a close-knit group. However, our financial situation has not been easy; currently, my husband is the sole provider, as I am limited in my ability to contribute financially. Despite our efforts, school fees and basic needs have prevented us from building the home we dream of. Years ago, we arrived in Tijuana with hopes of having our own home, where our children could feel happy and safe. Through hard work, we managed to acquire a piece of land, but we haven't been able to build a suitable house. My mother also helps with what she can, though it is not enough to meet all our family’s needs. With a new baby on the way, we need a stable home where our children can grow and enjoy their privacy. We put our faith in God and in you to help us achieve this dream of providing a worthy home for our children. Without further ado, we appreciate the beautiful work you do, we send you a warm hug and we hope that God always bless you.

Fuentes Fragoso - Lindstrom Coleman (Yellow Team)

Date Build: Saturday 23th - Sunday 24th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Samaria

Age: 32 years old

Job: house cleaning

Salary weekly: $110 US

CHILDREN:

Briana - 13 years old

Fidel - 6 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

My name is Samaria Galilea Fragoso Ruelas. Despite my youth, I have faced a difficult life and made tough choices due to experiences in my childhood, including a physically and emotionally abusive relationship that led me into depression. However, becoming a mother gave me the strength to move forward and ensure my daughter wouldn’t live through my same story. With nowhere else to go, I decided to separate from her father, and for six years I struggled, facing rejection from some family members and society. I later met someone else who promised to care for my daughter and me, and we had a second child together. At first, everything seemed fine, but eventually, he began to insult me and treat my daughter poorly. With a heavy heart, I decided to leave that relationship, even though I knew it would be extremely difficult without family support. For a while, my sister offered me emotional support, though she has her own struggles. This situation has caused me anxiety and depression, but I am determined to keep going because I know I am my children’s role model. For their sake, even while enduring hunger, I saved up as much as I could to buy a piece of land, hoping with God’s help to build a safe home. I work to provide for them, though I am often absent. Currently, thanks to a friend who offered us a place to stay, I feel somewhat calmer, and she was the one who told me about the Homes of Hope program. From the bottom of my heart, I ask you to consider helping me to have a safe home for my children. I truly appreciate your time and understanding. Sincerely, Fuentes Fragoso family.

Magallanes Arellano - Friends of Steve & Renee James (Purple Team)

Date Build: Friday 15th - Saturday 16th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Saira

Age: 29 years old

Job: snack seller

Salary weekly: $60 US

CHILDREN:

Belen - 6 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

To whom it may concern, my name is Saira Lizeth Arellano García. I am 29 years old and i'm the mother of a six-year-old daughter, Belén Alejandra Magallanes Arellano. I have had the blessing of raising Belén by my side since she was born. In our story, I lived with my daughter’s father for three years, but we separated in 2021. Since then, we have been living in my mother’s home. For nearly two years, she welcomed us in. I started working, and to care for my daughter, I enrolled her in a public daycare, though we often struggled with transportation, impacting our finances. When my daughter turned four, the daycare could no longer accept her. With no trusted person to care for her, I left my job. I used my savings, those ones that initially meant for a car, i used it to start a small business selling popsicles in local markets. It was a challenging time, especially as her father also stopped providing financial support. During this hardship, God helped us through my brother and his wife, who welcomed us into their home. We moved in with my brother on August 21, 2022, in the Ejido Lázaro Cárdenas neighborhood. Since then, I managed to enroll my daughter in kindergarten and found a job, slowly rebuilding our life plans. My brother’s unconditional support has allowed me to resume saving for a car, as well as begin the divorce and custody process for my daughter. Currently, we live in my brother’s guest room, which measures about three square meters and barely fits our belongings and two beds. Although we share expenses for utilities, I cover personal costs, like gas, car maintenance, clothes, and my daughter’s education. After working at a factory without growth opportunities, I decided to start a small business, allowing me more time with my daughter and my sister-in-law. I sell snaks and drinks. Although competition has affected my sales, but I am grateful that, thanks to God and community support, we have kept the business running. My daughter is excited to begin primary school, and I am thankful to be able to drive her to school, something that once seemed impossible. Witnessing how God has moved His hand in our lives is proof of His love and purpose. I am grateful for this opportunity to share our story and hope to create a stable and secure home alongside my daughter. Without further ado, I am grateful for the opportunity to be included in the program, and I wholeheartedly pray to God that He always bless you greatly.

Garcia Blas - EastLake Church (Green Team)

Date Build: Saturday 23th - Sunday 24th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Erika

Age: 36 years old

Job: warehouse worker

Salary weekly: $130 US

CHILDREN:

Mitzi - 17 years old

Nahomy - 11 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY: Hello, Casa de Esperanza. My name is Erika Araceli Blas Ramírez, I am 36 years old and was born in Oaxaca, Mexico. I currently live in Tijuana, Baja California, where I work to support my two daughters: Mitzi Mabel García Blas, who is 17 and in her fifth semester of high school, and Nahomy Yaritza García Blas, who is 11 and in sixth grade. For the past five years, I have worked in warehouses handling chili peppers and tomatillos in Tijuana. Even though we rent a room, I have always dreamed of owning land for my daughters so we wouldn't have to rent anymore. By God’s grace, I was able to achieve this dream and acquired a piece of land on June 2, 2023. In January, I managed to lay a floor for one room and dig a septic hole, but I couldn’t continue building because I became ill, and I am the sole provider for my family. I had heard rumors about Americans building houses for those in need, and finally, on Facebook, I found the Casa de Esperanza page. I filled out the application, hoping that God would grant us a home. When I received your call, it filled me with joy and renewed hope. Today, I have met all the requirements, and I pray that, with God’s blessing, you consider us for a house. My daughters dream of having their own rooms and living in a stable, safe place without needing to move constantly. I pray that God grants us this dream, and if it is not possible, we will accept His will, but our hope will live on. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration. Sincerely, Garcia Blas family.

Bermudez Carbajal - Friends of Steve & Renee James (Green Team)

Date Build: Friday 15th - Saturday 16th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Rosalinda

Age: 36 years old

Job: manicurist

Salary weekly: $160 US

CHILDREN:

Blanca - 10 years old

Mia - 4 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY: Hello, Homes of Hope. My name is Rosalinda Carbajal Camacho. I am a widow with two daughters, ages ten and four. We are in need because we can no longer afford to rent a small space in my mother’s house. My life changed after the passing of my husband, and I now work alone to provide my daughters with the best education I can. Some time ago, I left my office job to care for my husband through his illness. I started doing nails, which allowed me to spend more time at home. However, last year, his condition, liver cirrhosis, worsened, and he spent months in the hospital. I could no longer work as much because I needed to care for him. We moved into a room that my mother offered us. His condition worsened in December, and he passed away in January. Since then, I’ve been doing my best to move forward. My daughters miss him deeply, as he always dedicated his time to them. Our dream was to build on our piece of land, but his illness prevented us from doing so. We managed to level the land, but I haven’t been able to return to work full-time since my daughters need me now more than ever. I work during their school hours and on weekends at a borrowed space. My greatest wish is to have a home of our own where we can live and where I can work from home as I used to, so I don’t miss my daughters’ growth. I am grateful to God for the lessons and for strengthening our faith. I trust that His will provides us with a home. I also thank God for people like you, who bring hope to our lives. I sincerely thank you for the spiritual support, and I pray that God allows us to have a home for my daughters and me.

Mejia Garcia - Friends of Steve & Renee James (Blue Team)

Date Build: Friday 15th - Saturday 16th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Sayri

Age: 38 years old

Job: street market

Salary weekly: $130 US

FATHER: Luis

Age: 47 years old

Job: street market

Salary weekly: $130 US

CHILDREN:

Carlos - 19 years old

Rafael - 18 years old

Frida - 16 years old

Luis - 10 years old

Emir - months old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY: Hello, my name is Sayri García Gómez. I am 38 years old, I am married with Luis Fernando Mejía, who is 47 years old. We have five children: Carlos Alberto (19), Rafael (18), Frida Sofía (16), Luis Daniel (10), and Emir Fernando (3 months old). We moved to Tijuana over eight years ago seeking a better life, as our hometown had very limited resources. Initially, we rented, but the costs were high. Last year, after my husband had a work accident that left him unable to work, we managed to save enough—using the support he received along with my savings—to make a down payment on a piece of land. We were thrilled to finally have a place of our own. However, my husband’s injury made it hard for him to prepare the land, as his right arm couldn’t be operated on. In September, my eldest son was detained at a party where some people had weapons, and he was taken to the La Mesa prison in Tijuana. It was a tough blow for us, especially for my husband, who loves him as his own. At the same time, our daughter was struggling with addiction, so we admitted her to a rehabilitation center. Throughout these trials, I never lost faith in God. Receiving your call was a blessing, as it represents the hope of having a home where we can see our children grow up. However, our land was not yet leveled, and I worried about the cost. Just when I needed it, a neighbor told me about an opportunity to have it done affordably. I was able to secure the leveling of our land, which felt like another blessing. Although the challenges continue, I have faith that God will care for my family and that we will one day build a home with hard work and sacrifice. Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Warm regards and blessings, Mejía García Family

Catillo Castañon - Greenwood Community Church (Green Team)

Date Build: Friday 08th - Saturday 09th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Luz

Age: 38 years old

FATHER: Mario

Age: 34 years old

Job: Security guard

Salary weekly: $160 US

CHILDREN:

Kevin - 16 years old

Airam - 8 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY: Hello Homes of Hope, my name is Luz, I am 38 years old. It is a pleasure to greet you and I hope you are well. My family is made up of my partner Mario Kiram Castillo Montes de Oca, your servant, Luz Maria Castañon Perez and my children, Kevin, 16 years old and the youngest, Airam, 8 years old. I kindly ask for your support to be able to have a house since we are a family of limited resources. Below I share with you part of my story. Previously I lived in Acapulco Guerrero, a state in the south of Mexico, however, I came to live in Tijuana since crime in that state is high, my family and I were extorted and threatened, so we had to leave that state to be safer my family and I. Thank God, today we live without worrying about crime, I like living here, my children are now calm and my partner has a stable job. I would like to receive your support so that we would have a better place to live. I would like my children to have their own space. Right now we are all sleeping together. I have two children, a 16-year-old boy who is in high school and an 8-year-old girl who is in elementary school. I am not working at the moment because it is a bit complicated for me to take my daughter to school. I would like to take a course in order to do some work from home since I need to be aware because when it rains our things get wet and water seeps into my house. I ask for your support again because I would like my family and I to be able to live in a better place. I thank God for the work you do, because through you many families are blessed, you give them hope and brighten their lives. Without further ado, I say goodbye and pray to God to always bless your lives.

Villano Moreno - Greenwood Community Church (Red Team)

Date Build: Friday 08th - Saturday 09th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

MOTHER: Amelia

Age: 22 years old

Job: Microentrepreneur

Salary weekly: $40 US

CHILDREN

Eduardo - 4 years old

Baby - months old

Letter from the family: Hello, my name is Amelia Noemí Moreno Chávez, and I am a single mother. I have a 4-year-old son and am expecting a beautiful baby girl very soon. Right now, I’m living with my parents because I don’t receive any support from the father of my children. My parents have been helping us with living expenses. I was working in a local grocery store here in the neighborhood, but due to my pregnancy, I had to stop since I’m close to giving birth. I make ham sandwiches and mosaic jellies that I sell to several stores nearby, and with that income, I’m paying for my land. When I can’t cover the full amount, my parents kindly help with the rest, and I’m very grateful for that. As soon as I’m able to get a stable job, I plan to repay their support. One of my neighbors told me about this housing program called “Homes of Hope.” She shared her story with me about how she got her own home, and I told her how much I would love a house of my own. She encouraged me to apply and helped me find your page on Facebook so I could fill out the form. She said it’s just a matter of time and having faith. That’s why I’m reaching out to see if I could apply for a little home. It would mean so much to me to have a place for my children and me, and it would allow my parents some relief. Thanks to their help and my efforts, I’ve been able to stay current on the payments for my land, but it’s very hard to live in my parents’ home because there isn’t much space, and we’re all crowded together. A home of our own would bring us so much joy, not just for me but for my children too. We would have more space to enjoy, play, and make it our own over time. Having our own space would truly improve our quality of life, and the land would be the foundation for a future for me and my kids. I’m working hard to move forward, though it’s not easy, and that’s why I’m asking for your help. Thank you very much for your time and consideration, and I hope I can apply for a home. Warm regards from the Villano Moreno family.

Benitez Garcia - Greenwood Community Church (Blue Team)

Date Build: Friday 08th - Saturday 09th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

MOTHER: Katia

Age: 29 years old

Job: Data capturist

Salary weekly: $160 US

CHILDREN

Eddy - 12 years old

Dariel - 7 years old

Letter from the family: Hello Homes of Hope, my name is Katia, I am 29 years old and I am a single mother of two children. I would like to address you with a cordial greeting and hope that you are doing well. I am writing to you so that you can know about a part of our life. I would like to let you know that, like other families, we are a family with limited resources and I would like to have your support to have a house because I do not have enough money to continue renting. Currently, I am privileged to be able to have my own land, which I managed to get with a lot of effort and work. I recently changed jobs to a place closer to where I live. It is difficult for me to go to work and have my children stay alone, because the conditions in which we live now are not very safe. I would like to receive your support because with this house I could give my children a better place to live and they would be safer, same than me. I trust that God my Father will provide the means for me to receive this blessing. He knows the needs we have and everything we have had to go through. I am grateful for the beautiful work you do, and I thank God because He never abandons us. Without further ado, I say goodbye and send you a big hug. The Benitez Garcia family appreciates you.

Castillo Flores - Spectra Company (Yellow Team)

Date Build: Saturday 02th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Sofia

Age: 36 years old

Job: Teacher and administrative worker

Salary weekly: $150 US

FATHER: Adolfo

Age: 37 years old

Job: Factory worker

Salary weekly: $150 US

CHILDREN:

Sofia - 2 years old

Baby - months old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY: Hello Homes of Hope, my name is Sofia, I am 36 years old. It is a pleasure to greet you and I hope you are doing very well. My family consists of my husband, Jaime Adolfo Castillo Zapata, your servant, Alma Sofia Flores Rivera, and our little daughter, Sofia Castillo Flores, who is 2 years old. Below I tell our story. In November 2021 my husband and I got married, I am a person who grew up in the church and my prayer request to get married was answered by God 3 years ago. When we got married, my parents gave us shelter in their house here in Tijuana and we lived there in one room, some time later we began to save to buy a piece of land and start our project to build a house, at that time my husband worked in an auto parts store and I worked in a school in the administrative area. In November 2022 our first child Sofia was born. My husband and I were saving to fence our land and an unexpected event occurred when our car was stolen. It was very useful for us because we could do many activities with it. We decided to look for our car, but we could not find it, so we had to buy a new car and we had to wait to fence our land. Among the many problems we went through, this was the first. That same year, we began to have family problems and insecurity with crime in the neighborhood. My parents had a store and they had to close it. We used to go to church in the neighborhood and because of the crime we had to move to another place. My husband lost his job, but he was able to find another job in manufacturing at Toyota, so I continued my same job in administration. Unfortunately, my husband had to quit this new job because it was far from my parents' house and the road was in very bad condition, so for many other reasons it was not convenient to continue that job. After that, we got a loan to build a room in my parents' house because it was a better option because if we built this room on our land, we would have to spend more money. At the end of 2023 we had savings, with this we leveled our land, but again we had another problem, my mother-in-law got sick with her lungs, we took her to a private hospital where she was hospitalized for 20 days, we had to pay a very high bill, so that caused us to go into debt, thank God she was relieved. In January 2024 I became pregnant again, in February of the same year the doctors gave us the news that we were going to have twins, I was worried because I did not know how I was going to cover the expenses of my three children, my husband was happy with the news, but at the end of March they gave us the news that one of the babies had no vital signs and that only one of them would be able to develop, for this reason my husband and I became depressed. Thank God, the baby we were waiting for is with us in perfect health. So far, the dream of having our own home is still present. I hope in God that we can count on His help. God knows the needs and the cries of every family. I am grateful that we have been given the opportunity to be a part of the history of Homes of Hope and I ask God, if it is His will, to provide the means for this dream to become a reality. We are grateful for the work you are doing. I ask God to greatly bless your lives. We send you a big hug, the Castillo Flores family.

Contreras Jimenez - Weinberg (Purple Team)

Date Build: Saturday 02th - Sunday 03th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Dulce

Age: 32 years old

FATHER: Hector

Age: 34 years old

Job: Gas company

Weekly salary: $130 US

CHILDREN:

Nataly - 11 years old

Arely - 11 years old

Andres - 10 years old

Anibal - 4 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY: Hello Homes of Hope, my name is Hector, I am 34 years old. It is a pleasure to greet you. I would like to send you warm greetings and I hope that you are doing well. My family is made up of my wife Dulce Jovita Jimenez Mejia, your servant, Hector Contreras Catarino and my children Nataly (11), Arely (11), Andres (10) and the youngest, Anibal (4). I would like to ask for your help to build a better house, as we are a family with limited resources and as you can imagine it is difficult for us. We live in a trailer on our land, and with great effort I have built simple rooms with pieces of wood. Currently, we do not have a good floor, so when it rains, it floods. Sometimes my family and I do not have the means to pay the monthly payments for the land, but no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we are always positive and try to maintain ourselves as best we can. I would like you to support us as we would consider it a great blessing. We would like to have a better place to live and if it is possible to have your support, we would appreciate it very much. Without further ado, thank you for taking the time to read my situation and request. God bless you, Homes of Hope.

Tinoco Villa - Fallout Shelter Ministries (Pink Team)

Date Build: Saturday 02th - Sunday 03th, November 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Karen

Age: 32 years old

Job: Merchant in the overwheels

Salary weekly: $130 US

CHILDREN:

Diego - 17 years old

Daniel - 15 years old

Derek - 11 years old

Dylan - 2 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY: Hello Homes of Hope, I would like to send you a warm greeting and I hope you are doing well. My name is Karen Lizbeth Villa, I am 32 years old and I am a single mother of four children: Diego (17), Daniel (15), Derek (11) and Dylan (2). My four children live with me. Below I share my story. As you can imagine, we are just another family with limited resources, and to tell the truth, we have gone through a lot of hardships and complications in recent years. Last year, my son Daniel, 15 years old, had a major appendectomy at the Rosarito General Hospital, where he almost died. The surgery was very serious. Things got complicated after he left the operating room. He stayed in the hospital, caught a bacteria when he was intubated, and 15 days later he went back to the operating room for lung surgery because he had a very severe pneumonia. When he left, he was very fragile and continued to have fevers. He was hospitalized for two months and then we were transferred to Tijuana for evaluation and testing because he was losing a lot of weight and the fever wouldn't go away. My son tested positive for active skin contact. He was released with six months of treatment and home care. For now, we continue to go to the hospital and the health center. The last time I was in the hospital day and night, my children were in the care of an aunt. I had to leave the house where I was staying because I no longer had the money to pay the rent. I sold many things to cover many of the expenses we had as a family. They lent me a house next to where I have my land, and that is how I was able to catch up with the payments on my land not long ago. The lady who lends me the house has already asked me to leave the place because she needs to finish the construction because she only has one big room and one bathroom. I am a merchant in the overheels and I publish things through social media because I cannot leave my children alone for long periods of time and I have to take them to school and at the same time take care of Daniel. I share that I have not been able to save to be able to rent and much less to build on my land because everything is very expensive and I have to cover many expenses such as food, services, schooling, transportation, among others; this is why I am asking for your support with all my heart. It is very ugly to live like this and go through hardship and not even be able to be under a roof. Without further ado, thank you for taking the time to read my story and request. I would love to have the privilege of receiving a home, it would make my heart so happy. God bless you, Homes of Hope.