HOH Anniversary- Gallardo Tapia Family

Build Dates: May 22-23, 2015

Family Information:

 

 

Father- Santiago

• Age 50
• Profession: Field Worker
• Daily Salary: $9.65

Mother- Zenaida

• Age 48
• Profession: Makes Tortillas
• Weekly Salary: $27

Children-

• Paulina, age 12, 7th Grade

 

Property Information:

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

 

Family Story:

Santiago and Zenaida have been together for 14 years. They adopted a granddaughter of Zenaida's because the girl's mom was a drug addict and had abandoned the girl when she was only 6 months old. The girls is now 12, but her mother has disappeared and for a long time nobody has heard anything about her. Santiago and Zenaida have never owned their own home and were always moving from one place to another.

One and a half years ago they began to make payments on a piece of land because they were tired of renting in different places. Santiago has been losing his vision little by little and he doesn't get work very easily and they weren't making enough money to continue renting and making the land payments, so they had to move to their land. However they could, they built a small place there for them to live with used plywood sheets. They have lived there for 4 years now.

Twenty years ago, Santiago was run over by a car and in a coma for 3 months. He continues to struggle with pain in his head an leg, and has actually lost sight in one eye while losing some in the other. The only place he can work is in the fields, but sometimes he doesn't work because he is in so much pain. He then helps his wife to make and sell flour tortillas. This family makes very little money and is unable to build themselves a better home.

HOH Anniversary- Pacheco Morales Family

Build Dates: May 22-23, 2015

Family Information:

Mother- Leonarda

• Age 32
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $58

Children-

• Kevin, age 10 months
• Valentina, age 27 (cousin)

 

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 1 month
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

 

Family Story:

Leonarda is an indigenous Mixteco. She speaks Spanish, but her native tongue is Mixteco. Leonarda is a single mother; she was living with the father of her son, but then found out he was already married to another woman when he left her to go back to his wife. Leonarda was left alone and pregnant and the man didn't care and wasn't going to be responsible for the child. This changed Leonarda's life completely; she is an orphan with no siblings and at the time, had no family living in Ensenada. Because she was pregnant, she lost her job and had nothing.

A cousin found out about all that Leonarda was going through and came to Ensenada to help her. They live together and Valentina is helping her out. Leonarda and Valentina work in the fields. Leonarda is allowed to bring her son with her, which has kept her from needing to find and pay a nanny to care for him every day. Leonarda and her cousin were living in a rental house very close to where Leonarda had a piece of land.

Last October they decided to move to the land instead of paying rent and land payments, in hopes of saving the rent money. But in December/January when the rainy season started, the house wasn't in conditions to withstand the weather and leaked a lot. The house was made of only wood beams covered in plastic and tarps. They had to go back to renting the same house as before, until the rainy season passed. They have now moved back to their land and have been there for at least a month. Leonarda and Valentina have the land payments to make, personal expenses, diapers and milk for the baby, etc. And with the little salary they make working in the fields, it is not enough for them to be able to build a proper house.

HOH Anniversary- Sanchez Garcia Family

Build Dates: May 22-23, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Rigoberto

• Age 22
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $62

Mother- Ana

• Age 20
• Profession:
• Weekly Salary:

 

Children-

• Lexy, age 4

 

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 7 months
Electricity- Yes
  Running Water- No

 

Family Story:

Rigoberto and Ana have been married for 5 years and for the first time they have their own property. When they got married, they lived with Ana's mother, rented a house for a while, and for 2 other years they lived with Rigoberto's parents. While living with Rigoberto's family, they were faced with a lot of problems because in that same house there were 4 families living together, they fought with each other all the time.

Because of this, Rigoberto decided to get his family their own place and move out. They bought a small trailer for $482 (they still owe $206 on it), and have lived in it for 7 months now. The trailer is very old and leaks so they had to lay a tarp over the roof.

Rigoberto works in the fields and makes around $62 a weeks. This is used to pay for their food, expenses, land payments, trailer payments, etc. Basically leaving them with nothing to be able to build a home.

HOH Anniversary- Francisco Ramirez Family

Build Dates: May 22-23, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Roberto

• Age 21
• Profession: Packaging Produce
• Weekly Salary: $50

Mother- Antonia

• Age 24
• Profession:
• Weekly Salary:

 

Children-

• Roberto Jr, age 16 months

 

Property Information:

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

 

Family Story:

Roberto and Antonia met here in Ensenada and went to Oaxaca where Antonia is from and got married there.

When they moved back to Ensenada, they rented a home for a year until Roberto found a piece of land which they bought on credit and then built a small place with old wood, plastic and tarps. They have lived here for 3 years. They didn't have a floor so the government helped them out by providing a very thin concrete which has broken and started to fall apart over the past 3 years.

Roberto and Antonia decided to both work in order to be able to make the land payments and get it paid off. Antonia got pregnant and they would have nobody to care for their son if she were to continue to work. So now Roberto is the only one who works and his salary is all they have to cover all their expenses and the land payments. He works packaging vegetables from the fields and only makes $50 a week. Because his salary is so little, they haven't been able to make their home better.

HOH Annversary- Lopez Alvarado Family

Build Dates: May 22-23, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Fausto

• Age 68
• Profession: Handicapped
• Weekly Salary:

Mother- Dolores

• Age 62
• Profession: Makes and Sells Tamales
• Weekly Salary: $27

 

Children-

• Dario (Field Worker, $62/wk)
• Pricila, age 11, 5th Grade
• Edgar, age 7, 2nd Grade

 

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 3 months
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

 

Family Story:

Fausto and Dolores are seniors who are originally from Sinaloa. Their children came to Ensenada to work in the fields and later they  followed. One of their daughters got married here and had 2 children, but they were abandoned by the father. Their daughter then got really sick and for a year and a half was taken to see many doctors, hospitalized many times, but was never given a diagnosis. She had lots of tests done and they always came back normal. Every day during that year and a half she just got sicker and sicker, until she passed away 9 months ago.

Dolores and Fausto kept their 2 grandchildren and now care for them. The children have grown up with their grandparents because they have basically never had a father. Fausto is unable to work because he has spinal issues. He worked carrying cement blocks up and down a steep hill and that is what damaged his back. He now has to use a cane to walk, and he can no longer do heavy work because of the back pain. Instead, he and his wife make and sell tamales. They make them at home and then Dolores goes out and sells them on the streets.

Dolores also volunteers at a soup kitchen in her community. She cooks and cleans and then receives breakfast and lunch for her family as payment. They also have one of their sons living with them, Dario. Dario works in the fields and his salary is what pays for the household expenses and land payments. They were living in a house that was borrowed to them, but the owner asked them to leave and they were left with nowhere to go, so they bought the land and built the a small place there for them to live in.

HOH Anniversary- Morales Lopez Family

Build Dates: May 22-23, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Juan

• Age 42
• Profession: Packaging Produce
• Weekly Salary: $65

Mother- Maria

• Age 24
• Profession:
• Weekly Salary:

 

Children-

• Tania, age 3

 

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 2 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- No

 

Family Story:

Juan and Maria are from Oaxaca. Maria had her first son before she was ever married.

Four and a half years ago, Maria left her son with his grandparents and moved to Ensenada looking for a better life and work. Her plan was to get settled here in Ensenada and have her son brought to be with her later, but wasn't able to provide a secure place here for him.

She met Juan and they got married and had a daughter. They got a piece of land on credit and Juan built a small place with pallets and pieces of wood and then covered it in cardboard and plastic. They have been living on their land for 2 years now. Maria has always wanted to have a better place to live and be able to have her son come here.

Maria applied for a home from YWAM and when she was told that she would be receiving a home, she became very happy because soon she will be able to be reunited with her son who she hasn't seen in 4 1/2 years. Juan works packaging produce and makes about $65 a week. This salary is to cover all of their expenses, including all the payments on the land every month.

HOH Anniversary- Sosa Rivera Family

Build Dates: May 22-23, 2015

 

Family Information:

Father- Alegario

• Age 21
• Profession: Field worker
• Weekly Salary: $64

Mother- Irma

• Age 21
• Profession: Field worker
• Weekly Salary: $64

Children-

• Alma, age 
• Deysi, age 

 

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 5 months
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

 

Family Story:

Alegario and Irma are originally from Oaxaca and they speak the Mixteco dialect, but also have learned Spanish very well. Like many other families from Oaxaca, they moved to Ensenada 11 years ago looking for a better way of life and work opportunities. They have 2 daughters, Alma and Deysi. 

Right after they got married, they went and lived with Irma's mother. They lived there for many years. That started to be a problem since there were many others living there as well. Alegario decided to find them their own land. He bought them a piece of land on credit for $5,500 with a monthly payment of $80. Alegario works in the fields every day and his salary is about $64 a week.

Irma recently had to find work as well to help with their expenses. She started working in the fields too and receives the same salary as Alegario, $64 a week. Irma had to hire a young lady to help care for their children they worked, and she pays this lady $22 a week. Alegario and Irma are looking for a better future for their children, but to build a decent house for them has been something very difficult.

The house that Alegario built for his family is made of old wood and plastic to keep the wind and rain out. Their house is one room and measures 15'x15'. The floor is made out of rocks and dirt, and they have no running water or electricity. But they are happy to have their own place.

HOH Anniversary- Sosa Reyes Family

Build Dates: May 22-23, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Elias

• Age 26
• Profession: Field worker
• Weekly Salary: $64

Mother- Patricia

• Age 23
• Profession: Field worker
• Weekly Salary: $64

Children-

• Marisol, age 4
• Daniela, age 5

 

Property Information:

Colonia- Ampliacion Paraiso
Time with property- 1 year
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

 

Family Story:

Elias and Patricia have been married for 5 years. Elias is originally from Oaxaca and Patricia is from Sonora. They both came to Ensenada looking for a better life and work opportunities. They met each other here in Ensenada, got married, and now have 2 daughters.

They lived with Patricia's mother for 4 years, but it was very difficult for them. Elias had the opportunity to get a piece of land on credit for $4,280, with monthly payments of $80. When they got the land, they decided to move there and build a house of old wood and plastic to keep the rain and wind out.

Elias and Patricia work in the fields every day and each make $64 a week. This covers their monthly expenses and the woman who cares for their children while they work. With their salary and the debts they have, it is difficult for them to be able to build a better, bigger home. Their daughters get sick often due to the cold and conditions in which they live (on a dirt floor). For this reason, they need help.

HOH Anniversary- Morales Coral Family

Build Dates: May 22-23, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Jose

• Age 30
• Profession: Packs alfalfa
• Weekly Salary: $71

Mother- Brenda

• Age 31

Children-

• Guadalupe, age 13, Junior High
• Maria, age 11, 5th Grade
• Pregnant with 3rd Child

 

Property Information:

Colonia- Ampliacion Paraiso
Time with property- 9 months
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

 

Family Story:

Jose and Brenda are originally from Sinaloa. They have been together for 18 years and have 2 children, Guadalupe and Maria. Brenda is 8 months pregnant with their third child.

They came to Ensenada 12 years ago for better work opportunities. They always rented a place until Jose was able to get them their own land, which they are currently working towards paying off.

When they started making land payments, they were unable to continue paying their rent and decided to move to their land. Jose and Brenda built a small house of old wood, cardboard, and covered it in plastic to keep the rain out. Jose works packing alfalfa which is used as horse feed. His salary is around $71 a week. Brenda helps sometimes with the expenses. It has been very difficult for Jose to cover all their expenses and have enough to save to be able to build his family a better home.  

HOH Anniversary- Garcia Basurto Family

Build Dates: May 22-23, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Salvador

• Age 28
• Profession: Car washer
• Daily Salary: $10

Mother- Zenaida

• Age 24

Children-

• Diego Garcia, age 2

 

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 1 year
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

 

Family Story:

Salvador came from Guerrero in 2008 looking for work and a better life than what he had in Guerrero. Once he got to Ensenada he began working in the fields and that is where he met his wife, Zenaida, from Oaxaca, who had also come to Ensenada looking for work and a better life. They got together and went to live in a house that was lent to them.

During this time their son, Diego, was born. They decided to start saving so they could get a piece of land on credit. Salvador is the only one who works as Zenaida stays home to care for their son. Salvador and his family got a piece of land and moved there. Salvador built them a small place from wood pallets and divided it in two so they could have a small bedroom.

They have a dirt floor and the whole place and roof is wrapped in plastic that he got from work. The church they go to was going to help them with a house, but were later unable to do so. They heard of YWAM and Homes of Hope and came to apply for a house.  

Team Alaska- Garcia Arellano Family

Build Dates: May 29-30, 2015

 

Family Information:

Mother- Matilde

• Age 26
• Profession: Children's Soup Kitchen Cook
• Weekly Salary: $20

Children-

• Juan, age 9, 4th Grade  
• Edgar, age 4, Kindergarten
• Hector, age 3

 

Property Information:

Colonia- Zorrillo
Time with property- 7 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- No

 

Family Story:

Matilde is a single mother, she separated from her husband 2 years ago. The children's father was a drug addict and treated the boys and Matilde very badly.

Matilde became a Christian 3 years ago and is currently working at her church's soup kitchen for children. The church pays her $20 a week but her and her boys are able to eat there. She only works there part-time and doesn't get paid much but she is content with the work because she is able to take care of her children. The boys father doesn't help them out financially as he still struggles with drug abuse.

Matilde has a piece of land that had a small structure on it built from old wood. She has lived in this same house for 7 years. During the rainy season the roof was damaged and it leaked in many areas. The pastor allowed them to live in small room at the church, but when the rain stopped, she moved back to her house. Their house is in very bad conditions and it is impossible for Matilde to make it better with the small salary she makes. 

Freedom Church- Avila Fernandez Family

Build Dates: May 16-17, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Edgar

• Age
• Profession:
• Weekly Salary:

Mother- Sandra

• Age
• Profession:
• Weekly Salary:

Children-

• Dana, age 7, 2nd Grade
• Diego, age 5, Kindergarten

 

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 2 months
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

 

Family Story:

Edgar and Sandra are from Durango. They came to Ensenada 3 years ago because there was a lot of violence and corruption in Durango and they didn't want to continue to live in fear.

They arrived in Ensenada and began renting a house. Later on they decided to get a piece of land and start making payments on it. Edgar built a small structure for them out of wood, wrapped the roof in plastic, and that is where they lived for 6 months. The landowner who sold them the land later asked for it back because he had a buyer who wanted all of the land, including the piece that was Edgar and Sandra's. Edgar and Sandra refused to give up their land because they had already been living there and making the payments on it. The owner then raised the price of the payments each month hoping that they would be unable to continue to pay for it. Edgar and Sandra fet a lot of pressure to try to make the payments on time and they eventually had to give the land back.

With the money they got back, they were able to get another piece of land in another area. This new property was more expensive, but they were given the opportunity to buy it on credit and only having to pay about $70 a month. Edgar moved the small house they had previously built on their old land and they have been living on their new property for almost 3 months now.

Kemp Family Build- Nepomuceno Garcia Family

Build Dates: May 4-5, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Ruben

• Age 38
• Profession: Packaging Produce
• Weekly Salary: $60

Mother- Maria del Carmen

• Age 39
• Profession: Packaging Produce
• Weekly Salary: $60

 

Children-

• Cristiana, age 12, 5th Grade
• Dulce, age 8, 2nd Grade

 

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 8 months
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- No

 

Family Story:

Ruben and Maria del Carmen have been married for 5 years. Ruben is not the girls' biological father; their father left for the USA, married another woman, and never came back. Ruben loves the girls as though they were his biological children.

They were living in Culiacan, but returned to Ensenada one and a half years ago because Maria's parents were here. Ruben and Maria decided to start a new life here in Ensenada because there is more work and the girls had good schools to attend. They bought a piece of land on credit and built a small room out of pieces of old wood and cardboard which they wrapped in plastic.

They have been living there for 8 months. Both Ruben and Maria work packing produce for 836 pesos a week. They put the money they each earn together in order for them to be able to cover the cost of the land payments each month and their household expenses. A sister-in-law of Maria cares for the girls while their parents are working. Even though they both work, their salaries are just barely enough to cover everything and is not sufficient to build them a better home.