Stanwood Foursquare- Quirino Medina Family

Build Dates: November 25th & 26th

Family Information:

Mother- Elena

• Age: 27

• Profession: Shop Clerk

• Monthly Salary: $105 approx.

Children-

• Raul, 5 yrs, Kindergarten

• Ximena, 8 yrs, 3rd Grade

Property Information:

Colonia- Las Penitas
Time with property- Family Owned for 24 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- Yes
Structure- House Burned Down by Recent Fires
 

Family Story:

Elena was born in Culiacan, Sinaloa. Her family brought her to Ensenada when she was 2 years old and they have lived in the same place ever since. Elena’s mom was a single mother, Elena was unable to graduate from high school as her mom couldn’t afford to send her to school. When Elena was a teenager, she went to live and work in San Quintin. It was there that she met her daughter Ximena’s father, but when he found out that Elena was pregnant, he abandoned them. Elena was 17 years old. Elena moved back to Ensenada and shortly after, she met Raul. After 2 years with Raul, she got pregnant with her son Raul. Their relationship did not work out though and they separated when baby Raul was 8 months old, and Elena moved back in with her mother. The recent fires destroyed the house where they lived and they were left with nothing. They have spent many nights sleeping in a tent. Just this week, Elena’s brother and his wife had their house rebuilt through a partnership between a local politician, local church and YWAM. Elena feels so blessed to know that her and her children will son receive their new home as well.

Defenders Blue- Cruz Delgado Family

Build Dates: November 28th & 29th

Family Information:

Father- Josue Manuel

• Age: 49

• Profession: Security Guard

• Monthly Salary: $315 approx. for 72 hr work week

Mother- Maria Esthela

• Age: 50

• Profession: Homemaker

• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Jose Manuel, 20 yrs

• Sandra Paola, 16 yrs, High School

• Jesus Rafael, 10 yrs, 5th Grade

• Angel, 6 yrs, 1st Grade

  Jesus and Angel both have asthma, the family pays about $16 a month for their medication

Property Information:

Colonia- San Miguel, road to La Bufadora
Time with property- 11 months
Electricity- Solar Panel
Structure- Scrap Materials
 

Family Story:

Jose Manuel and Maria Esthela met in Tijuana about 28 years ago. Jose Manuel is originally from Sinaloa, but moved to Tijuana for work when he was 19 years old and met Maria Esthela 2 years later. After a year they formed a family and have been living in free union for 27 years, never legally getting married. They have 7 children all together, 4 of which are living at home. About 10 years ago, Maria Esthela suffered from a hernia as a result of stress and drinking too much coca cola; they returned to Sinaloa for her care and recovery. When Maria Esthela was fully recovered they moved to Ensenada instead of returning to Tijuana. They were renting a house in Maneadero when they saw some lots for sale close to where they lived. They decided at the beginning of the year to buy a lot on credit and move their family there. They’ve been living on their land for almost 11 months now, but have not been able to build a house. They live in a room they built with pieces of wood. It gets very cold in their shack and they get sick often. Jose Manuel and Maria Esthela dream of being able to provide a better life for their children, especially the younger two with asthma.

Defenders Red- Munoz Molina

Build Dates: November 28 & 29

Family Information:

Father- Fidencio

• Age: 30

• Profession: Field Worker

• Weekly Salary: $64 approx.

Mother- Cirila

• Age: 38

• Profession: House Cleaner

• Weekly Salary: $64 approx.

Children-

• Fabian Joel, 7 yrs, 2nd Grade

• Jesus Alejandro, 12 yrs, 6th Grade

• Alejandro, 17 yrs, schizophrenic

• Fidencio’s father lives with them

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 11 months  
Electricity- No
Running Water- No
Structure- Scrap Materials & Dirt Floor
 

Family Story:

Cirila is originally from Veracruz, she came to Ensenada 17 years ago with her ex-husband who is the father of Alejandro and Fabian. He mistreated Cirila and her children. and for that reason, she decided to leave him. Back then, Cirila worked in the fields planting and cutting flowers and vegetables. She looked for a way to push her family forward and spent many years paying rent. Just last year Cirila was able to get the land where they now live and continue to pay off each month. It was also last year when Cirila met Fidencio and his son Jesus Alejandro. Soon after meeting, they decide to form a family together. Fidencio works in the fields Monday-Saturday earning a salary of approximately $64 a week. Cirila works cleaning houses and this has helped them to be able to make their land payments and basic necessities. The oldest son, Alejandro, suffers from schizophrenia and has had to be hospitalized in the psychiatric hospital for it. They live in a small room that they built themselves and Fidencio’s father even lives with them. Cirila went through a lot of very tough years and has suffered a lot searching for a safe place to live with her children, but she has not been able to find that on her own. She now has hope that she will receive a home where they can live in safety and be comfortable.