Lopez Gonzalez - Easthaven Baptist Church MA (Grey Team)

Date Build: Tuesday 25th - Wednesday 26th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Socorro

Age: 38 years old

FATHER: Jose

Age: 33 years old

Job: construction worker

Salary weekly: $200 US

CHILDREN:

Jose - 13 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear members of Homes of Hope, We are the López González family, consisting of three members: myself, Socorro González Contreras; my son, José Manuel López González, who is 13 years old and currently in his second year of middle school; and my partner, José Loreto López Tirado, who works as a construction assistant and earns a weekly income of four thousand pesos. His earnings are used for food, our son’s school expenses, rent, and land payments. I am a homemaker and do not have a job, which is why we are seeking your support in the hope of qualifying for a home. Having our own house would be a great help to our family, allowing us to provide our son with a secure space. Currently, covering both rent and land payments is a challenge for us, so we turn to you with the hope of receiving this opportunity. We deeply appreciate your time and consideration. May God bless you.

Martinez Martinez - LOVE DOES (Yellow Team)

Date Build: Thursday 13rd - Friday 14th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Dalila

Age: 32 years old

Job: factory worker

Salary weekly: $135 US

FATHER: Miguel

Age: 33 years old

Job: factory worker

Salary weekly: $135 US

CHILDREN:

Dereck - 5 years old

Jade - 10 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

To Whom It May Concern, My name is Dalila Martínez Salazar, and my family consists of my husband, Miguel, and our two children: Jade, who is 10 years old, and Dereck, who is 5. Both my husband and I work in a factory; he works during the day, and I work the night shift so that we can take care of our children. The purpose of this letter is to request your support in building a home, as we currently do not have the financial means to construct on our land. At the moment, we are living in a borrowed house. Previously, we had to pay both rent and the land payments simultaneously, which was financially challenging. Fortunately, my brother-in-law, who lives in this house owned by my sister, has allowed us to stay temporarily while we try to build on our land. Currently, five people share this space. The house has two rooms and a kitchen. One room belongs to my brother-in-law, while my husband, children, and I share the other. The room is so small that it only fits one bed, which we all share. We also share the kitchen and household expenses. For this reason, we are requesting your support to build a home on our land, so our children can have a more comfortable space and no longer have to share a room with us. We would be deeply grateful if you could help us with a home of hope.

Mercado Navarrete - The Crossing (Green Team)

Date Build: Friday 28th - Saturday 29th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Brenda

Age: 30 years old

Job: saleswoman

Salary weekly: $250 US

FATHER: Estevan

Age: 27 years old

Job: construction worker

Salary weekly: $170 US

CHILDREN:

Sonia - 11 years old

Pavel - 8 years old

Victoria - 6 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

To Whom It May Concern, We are the Maldonado Navarrete family, and we are reaching out to request your support in building our home. Since we started our family, we have worked tirelessly to move forward. For years, we paid rent while saving, even working two jobs, to gather the necessary funds for the down payment on our land. In addition to covering our children's school expenses, utilities, and transportation costs, my wife works hard selling various products to contribute to our household. However, at this time, the cost of construction materials is too high for us to afford. Our greatest wish is for our children to grow up in a safe and dignified home where they can be happy. We sincerely hope you can help us make our dream of owning a home come true.

Orozco Carranza - Project 143 (Yellow Team)

Date Build: Saturday 08th - Sunday 09th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Montserrat

Age: 42 years old

FATHER: Ricardo

Age: 43 years old

Job: plumber and electrician

Salary weekly: $210 US

CHILDREN:

Angel - 19 years old

Estefani - 18 years old

Tavita - 16 years old

Elizabeth - 11 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Casas de Esperanza Team, I would like to send a warm greeting to the entire team, whose kind hearts transform and change the lives of many people. My name is Ricardo Orozco Vargas, and I would like to share a part of my story with you. In October 2016, I arrived in Tijuana with my wife and children, not knowing the city and relying only on the support of my mother-in-law. She helped us rent a trailer home, but the space was too small for our family. Additionally, the owner had strict rules and did not allow children—only couples without kids. Because of this, we could only stay there for one month. Facing this challenge, I spoke with my mother-in-law again, and she kindly allowed us to stay in a room at her house while we searched for a more suitable place. Trusting in God, I started looking for a job and found work at a butcher shop, an occupation I was familiar with, earning 1,500 pesos a week. However, I quickly realized that my salary was not enough to support my family. One day, while working at the butcher shop, I served a customer who was looking for special meat cuts. During our conversation, he mentioned that he needed workers for a construction project and that the pay was good. I became interested and asked about the job. He explained that they were looking for plumbers and electricians, but since I had no experience in those fields, I felt discouraged. However, he reassured me and offered me a job as a construction assistant with a salary of 1,900 pesos a week, which motivated me to accept the opportunity. As time passed, I shared my situation with the owner of the construction project. He listened attentively and made me an unexpected offer: he had a large basement where he stored his tools and said that my family and I could stay there. Grateful, I accepted his generous offer, and for several months, we lived in that basement. While working on the construction site, I had the opportunity to learn plumbing and electricity, which eventually became my new profession. When the project was completed, the owner asked me to vacate the basement, which I did with deep gratitude for the support he had given me during that difficult time. By March 2017, with the skills I had acquired, I decided to work independently as a plumber and electrician, which I consider a great blessing from God. With His help and my mother-in-law’s support, we were able to rent a dignified home for my wife and children. To this day, I continue working in this profession, which has allowed me to move forward. Some time later, while doing a plumbing job for a client, I noticed that he had a beautiful house built. Surprised, I asked him how he had managed to get it, and that’s when he told me about Casas de Esperanza. That is why I want to express my deep gratitude and admiration for the incredible work you do, bringing hope to so many families. May God bless you abundantly. Sending you all a big hug. This is not a goodbye but a “see you later.”

Saucedo Gonzalez - Mission Uprising (Blue Team)

Date Build: Saturday 08th - Sunday 09th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Reina

Age: 29 years old

Job: tacos seller

Salary weekly: $55 US

FATHER: David

Age: 28 years old

Job: tacos seller

Salary weekly: $55 US

CHILDREN:

Fernando - 9 years old

Marlene - 8 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Casas de Esperanza Team, I would like to share a little about our story. We decided to buy a piece of land because rental homes tend to have strict rules and limited space. Additionally, the noise from children can be an issue for some neighbors. For four years, we moved from one house to another, as we worked at a food stand for someone else and found it difficult to trust anyone to care for our children. With great effort, we started purchasing supplies for our own business, but the most challenging part was buying a vehicle to move around. We saved as much as we could and finally bought a van—not a luxury one, but one that has helped us a lot. We began working at open-air markets in Rosarito while still living in Tijuana, making the daily commute. However, we were driven by our desire to move forward. After a year, we had to move again because our landlords asked us to leave. We used to wake up at 4:30 a.m., and the noise from the blender disturbed the neighbors. Around that time, a customer told us about land for sale with affordable payments, and we decided to invest in our children's future. We made the down payment and started building a wooden house, but we never imagined that strong winds would destroy it. After a few months, we managed to build a small room in better condition and moved in, despite it being the rainy season. The streets were difficult to navigate, making it hard to go to work. We also struggled with electricity for our blender, but over time, and with our neighbors' permission, we were able to continue. Sales have slowed, and unexpected expenses affect us greatly, especially health-related ones. Our son had an accident and broke his front teeth on a rock, so we had to take him to the dentist. Despite everything, we are happy because our children can now play and make noise without worrying about upsetting anyone. However, our room is small, and our improvised kitchen was destroyed by a hurricane. It is discouraging to see our efforts fall apart and have to start over. Currently, our windows and doors are covered with plastic, and the cold weather is what affects us the most. Our greatest wish is to have a home where no one can ask us to leave, where we are safe from the cold, wind, and rain. We do everything we can to move forward and build a future for our children, even though the situation is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive. Additionally, three years ago, I was diagnosed with fatty liver disease. Although it has no cure, I try to take care of myself with diet and exercise, as it could lead to non-alcoholic cirrhosis. I do not want to think negatively about it—I simply trust in God's will and hope to watch my children grow up happy.

Martinez Lesso - Addicted to Life (Red Team)

Date Build: Friday 21st - Saturday 22nd, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Rosa

Age: 29 years old

FATHER: Alejandro

Age: 39 years old

Job: construction worker

Salary weekly: $250 US

CHILDREN:

Alex - 12 years old

Cristian - 10 years old

Aithen - 3 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope Team, My name is Rosa Isela, I am 29 years old, and my partner, Alejandro, is 39. We have been together for 13 years and have three children: Alex (12 years old), Cristian (10 years old), and Aithen (3 years old). I would like to share a little about our story. When our second child was born, due to a lack of employment, we had to make the difficult decision to separate temporarily. I moved with our two children to Oaxaca, my partner's home state, while he went to Tijuana to find work. We lived in Oaxaca for almost five years before returning to Tijuana, where we rented an apartment. After a year, my partner was diagnosed with a kidney tumor, which required surgery to remove his right kidney. This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, to cover our expenses, we started buying and selling second-hand furniture through Facebook. Six months after the surgery, we were asked to vacate the apartment, so we looked for another place. However, rent prices were very high, and we could only afford to stay in our next home for six months. Later, we moved to another house, where I met a woman who became a close friend. Over time, she built an extra room and offered us a place to stay on her property, as she is a single mother and doesn’t like being alone at night. We currently live on that land, but it is divided between her and her brother. We were allowed to stay on her brother’s portion, but he will begin construction at the end of this year, which means we will have to find another place to live. Two years ago, my partner reconnected with a former high school classmate who told us she had also struggled with moving from one rental to another. She shared that she had managed to buy land with monthly payments and, thanks to Homes of Hope, had built her home. She encouraged us to purchase a plot of land near hers and introduced us to your organization. Our greatest wish is to have a home of our own where we can provide a stable and safe environment for our children. Rent is expensive and does not offer long-term security. In our current situation, we know we could lose our home at any moment. I am unable to work to help support my partner financially, as we do not have family members who can help care for our children or take them to school. Despite our challenges, we continue to push forward. We are very grateful for the support and shelter we have received, but we dream of having a place to call our own. We truly appreciate your time and consideration. May God bless you and continue to bless your work.

Virgen Gomez - San Clemente (Red Team)

Date Build: Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Evelyn

Age: 24 years old

Job: manicurist

Salary weekly: $60 US

FATHER: Ivan

Age: 24 years old

Job: mechanic

Salary weekly: $90 US

CHILDREN:

David - 7 years old

Yacob - 5 years old

Ivan - 9 months old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope Team, May God bless you. My name is Iván Emanuel Virgen Sosa. My family consists of my wife, Evelyn, our children—David (7 years old), Yacob (5 years old), and Iván (9 months old)—as well as my grandparents, Francisco and Amelia, who are elderly. I am writing to request your support in obtaining a home. Currently, we live in my parents' house, where my siblings also reside. The space is very limited, and my wife, children, and I share a small 2x2 meter room. We all sleep together in a single bed, which is uncomfortable, especially for the children. Additionally, my grandparents live separately from us. They are staying on a piece of land temporarily loaned to them by a church member, who allowed them to live in a small trailer while they oversee the construction of his house. My grandmother, Amelia, suffers from Parkinson’s disease and requires constant care, as she has limited mobility and frequently falls. The trailer they live in is extremely small; there is no space for a bed, so my grandmother sleeps sitting in a plastic chair. My grandfather has to cook outside because there is no room for a stove, and using one inside would be a fire hazard since the trailer is covered with tarp. Because of this situation, I decided to acquire a piece of land with the goal of building a home where my grandparents can live with us and receive the care they need. My wife and I are committed to supporting them, as my aunts do not take responsibility for them due to family conflicts. Their only financial support comes from a government assistance program. Our land is in a well-located area, just five minutes from public transportation and shopping centers. Additionally, our children, David and Yacob, attend a school only ten minutes away. We have been praying for a year for God to make this dream a reality. We believe He is guiding us, and we trust that your organization can help us achieve it. Thank you for your time and consideration. May God bless you and continue to bless your work.

Gutierrez Mena - Church on the Rock (Blue Team)

Date Build: Friday 14th - Saturday 15th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Alicia

Age: 41 years old

Job: Saleswoman at a flea market

Salary weekly: $100 US

CHILDREN:

Edwin - 14 years old

Ingrid - 11 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope Team, My name is Alicia, and I am reaching out to you in the hope of receiving your support to improve my children's and my living conditions. Currently, we live in a small house made of tarps, which leaves us exposed to rain and cold weather. My financial situation is difficult, as I work at the street market selling donated items. Despite my efforts, my income is very limited. My children and I carry our merchandise in suitcases and walk around different places to sell. The reason I acquired a piece of land was that, after the passing of my brother and mother, I found myself without a home. For seven years, I dedicated myself to taking care of both of them. My brother fell seriously ill, and while he was hospitalized, I stopped working to be by his side day and night. Sadly, after months of struggle, he passed away. Two years later, my mother also fell ill, and once again, I took care of her until her last day. After her passing, my children and I continued living in my brother's house until his wife found out about my mother’s death and evicted us. With no other options, I sought shelter at my uncle’s house, who has been the only family member to support me. Over time, I found the courage to buy a small piece of land, and with donated materials, I built a temporary shelter. However, every time it rains, we get wet, and the cold in winter is unbearable. My uncle and I share the land rental costs, as my income is not enough. He does not live with us, but he has been a great help throughout this process. I turn to you with the hope of receiving assistance in building a dignified home for my children and myself. I am not asking for anything big, just a safe place where we can be protected from the weather and have some stability. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration, and I hope you will consider our request.

Ballanes Martinez - LOVE DOES (Pink Team)

Date Build: Thursday 13rd - Friday 14th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Itzel

Age: 22 years old

Job: house cleaning

Salary weekly: $120 US

CHILDREN:

Jennifer - 7 years old

Uriel - 4 years old

Elian - 10 months old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope Team. I have been praying to God for the opportunity to have a decent home for my children, a place where they can feel comfortable and safe. Unfortunately, my income is only enough to cover basic expenses, so it is not possible for me to build or buy a house of my own. I am currently alone and facing many difficulties. The father of my children left us, and I have no one else to support me. For a while, I was renting, but often I couldn’t afford the rent. Right now, we are living in a house that someone is lending us, but I constantly worry that we may be asked to leave at any moment. Finding an affordable home is very difficult, and for the well-being of my children, I truly wish to provide them with a stable and secure home.

Catellanos Morales - LOVE DOES (Yellow Team)

Date Build: Thursday 13rd - Friday 14th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Maria

Age: 35 years old

FATHER: Jose

Age: 32 years old

Job: construction worker

Salary weekly: $200 US

CHILDREN:

Fatima - 2 years old

Jesus - 10 months old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope Team. I hope you are found well, god bless you all. I'm going to share a little of my history how we get here at Tijuana. In 2021, I had to travel to Tijuana, Baja California, in search of better job opportunities, as there were no employment possibilities in our home state, Villahermosa, Tabasco. My goal was to earn an income that would allow us to improve our quality of life. At that time, my wife, María del Carmen Morales Méndez, remained in Tabasco, three months pregnant with our first daughter. Later, we decided that she should also travel to Tijuana so we could start a new life together. When we arrived, we faced great difficulties, living in a construction site and sleeping on wooden boards. With effort, we gradually acquired the essentials, and in 2023, my wife became pregnant with our second daughter, Fátima. It was a complicated pregnancy, full of illnesses and difficulties. One night, she began experiencing severe pain and bleeding. Without financial resources, I sold the few tools I had to help her. Despite everything, our daughter was born healthy, and my wife recovered. We continued living in precarious conditions, but with effort, I managed to regain my tools and keep working. A year later, God blessed us with our third son, Jesús, although his pregnancy was also high-risk. Later, my employer allowed us to move into a small room on his property, but our resources remained limited, as our savings had been spent on basic necessities. Some time later, I found work as a construction worker in a house. The owner, seeing our situation, started giving us clothes, toys, and sweets for our daughter. One night, my wife gave her a piece of chocolate from one of the packages. Shortly after, our daughter suddenly started feeling unwell. Since we had no money for medical care, we called our pastors for spiritual support. The next day, I managed to borrow money so my wife could take our daughter to the General Hospital of Rosarito. However, due to her humble appearance, she was mistreated and neglected. Eventually, they conducted a blood test and informed us that our daughter had tested positive for drugs. Immediately, DIF and the police intervened. We were given toxicology tests, which came back negative, but an investigation was still opened. At first, tests on the sweets we had been given came back positive for drugs, leading to my arrest and interrogation. However, later, the results changed, and the sweets were declared negative, leaving us deeply confused and powerless. DIF inspected our home and determined that it was not suitable for our children. Throughout the process, we were victims of discrimination and mistreatment. Finally, at the hospital, my wife was handcuffed, and our daughter was taken away from us. For three months, we searched for our daughter without receiving any answers. Finally, we were informed that she was in a DIF shelter. During that time, all our toxicology tests continued to come back negative, proving our innocence. With great effort, we managed to buy a small plot of land and build a room, hoping to bring our daughter back home. With the support of a lawyer, we presented all the necessary evidence, and after nine months of struggle, a judge declared us innocent. Just three months ago, we were finally reunited with our daughter. Currently, I have a stable job, but we are facing significant debt due to legal and medical expenses. The house we live in is still borrowed, and with the arrival of the cold and rainy season, our living conditions become even more difficult. My greatest wish is to build a decent home for my children, where they can grow up safe and happy. My wife is fully dedicated to caring for our children. We learned about this program through a Christian church. With humility, we turn to you in the hope of being considered and receiving your valuable help. May God bless you for the wonderful work you do through Homes of Hope.

Vaquera Nava - Mexico Family #1 Trip (Green Team)

Date Build: Sunday 16th - Monday 17th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Patricia

Age: 38 years old

Job: factory worker

Salary weekly: $115 US

CHILDREN:

Luis - 11 years old

Manuel - 13 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Hello to everyone. My name is Patricia Nava, and I am originally from Zacatecas, a state in central Mexico. Two years ago, I moved to Tijuana with my children, Luis (11 years old) and Manuel (13 years old). I decided to leave Zacatecas due to the violence I endured for many years from my children’s father. I tried to seek help, but the corruption and insecurity in my hometown made it impossible for me to stay. I reached out to my brother, who lives in Tijuana, and he welcomed me into his home for about a month. However, one night, he told me I had to leave. By that time, I had already secured a stable job, which I still have today. With the help of my coworkers, I found a rental home where I lived for three months. Later, I moved to another house within my financial means, but for a year and a half, I had to relocate frequently, as I was asked to leave every four months. Eventually, I learned about land available for purchase with flexible payment options. With great effort, I saved enough money for the down payment and began making monthly payments while still covering rent. However, in November, I was once again asked to vacate my rental home, and finding a new place became extremely difficult, as many landlords did not accept children and rent prices were too high. In December, I was offered a temporary home near my land, where I currently live. A few months ago, I learned about your organization and registered through your website. I would truly appreciate being considered, as I have been working hard to provide my children with a better quality of life. I left my hometown so they could grow up in a safe and stable environment, away from violence. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Cervantes Armenta - Missing Uprising Wiese (Red Team)

Date Build: Saturday 08th - Sunday 09th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Griselda

Age: 39 years old

Job: merchandiser

Salary weekly: $80 US

FATHER: Jorge

Age: 37 years old

Job: merchandiser

Salary weekly: $80 US

CHILDREN:

Victoria - 9 years old

Esteban - 15 years old

Shelzea - 17 years old

Karla - 21 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

To Whom It May Concern, Greetings from our family. We are currently facing an unstable housing situation, as it has been very difficult for us to pay both rent and monthly installments for our land over the past three years. We pay 4,000 pesos in rent and 3,000 pesos for the land, in addition to other household expenses. My partner and I work at the flea market selling clothes and second-hand items, but sales have been low since the COVID pandemic. Our weekly income ranges from 3,500 to 3,700 pesos, which barely covers our basic needs. Furthermore, bad weather, especially rainy days, prevents us from working, affecting our financial stability. We have tried to build on our land, but due to a lack of resources, we have only managed to construct a bathroom and level the ground. We urgently need a permanent home to improve our quality of life. Our family consists of six members, and we live in a very small space, which has become increasingly difficult as our children grow. They are all in school at different levels: elementary, middle school, high school, and university, which represents a significant expense. Our youngest daughter, Victoria, has strabismus and requires ophthalmologic treatment every four months, adding to our financial burden. Having a home of our own would be a dream come true and a great blessing for our family. We sincerely appreciate your time and consideration.

Varela Colin - Bonita Valley Community Church (Purple Team)

Date Build: Friday 07th - Saturday 08th, March 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Jenny

Age: 32 years old

Job: self-service store worker

Salary weekly: $150 US

FATHER: Oscar

Age: 36 years old

Job: carpentry assistant

Salary weekly: $175 US

CHILDREN:

Daniela - 15 years old

Jeslyn - 13 years old

Jennifer - 6 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Team, We hope this letter finds you well. We are the Varela Colín family: my wife, Jenny Colín, our daughters Daniela (15 years old), Jeslyn (13 years old), and Jennifer Andrea (6 years old), and myself, Daniel Varela. We are a hardworking family; I work as a carpenter’s assistant, and my wife is employed at a convenience store. Our daughters are currently in high school, middle school, and elementary school. The past two years have been incredibly difficult for us. Our youngest daughter, Jennifer Andrea, was diagnosed with Wilms' tumor, an aggressive cancer that led to the loss of one of her kidneys. Her treatment involved chemotherapy and radiation, and there were times when we feared we might lose her. She spent months hospitalized due to two relapses, as the cancer later spread to her lung. Thankfully, God granted us the miracle of her recovery, and today, a year later, she is cancer-free. We continue to monitor her health closely and pray that she remains in good health. After she stabilized, we made a great effort to put a down payment on a piece of land, hoping to build a home for our family. However, our financial situation makes it difficult to move forward, as we must pay both rent and the land installment each month. When we learned about "Homes of Hope" and the incredible work you do, we felt compelled to share our story, hoping to be considered. We sincerely appreciate your time and attention, as well as the support you provide to so many families. May God bless you for your generosity.

Pineda Sanchez - Glenmore Christian Academy MA (Brown Team)

Date Build: Tuesday 18th - Thursday 20th, February 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Claudia

Age: 46 years old

Job: house cleaning

Salary weekly: $50 US

FATHER: Hugo

Age: 49 years old

Job: construction worker

Salary weekly: $175 US

CHILDREN:

Juan - 13 years old

Fransue - 10 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

My name is Claudia Pineda Sánchez. I am 46 years old and originally from the state of Tlaxcala, in southern Mexico. Two years ago, my children and I arrived in Tijuana in search of a better life, as the situation in our hometown was very difficult. There were times when we had nothing to eat and went to bed hungry. I worked in a sewing workshop, earning only 400 pesos a week, which was not enough to cover our expenses. I fell so far behind on rent that we were evicted, and our belongings were thrown out onto the street. My children often missed school because I couldn’t afford to feed them. Those were times of deep despair, and I even lost hope. My greatest wish is to have a proper home for my family, so we don’t have to suffer anymore or see my children without shoes or proper clothing. I am diabetic, and my son Juan has an intellectual disability. When we arrived in Tijuana, I found a job, but I had an accident at work, and they let me go. Since then, I have struggled to find stable employment. Right now, only my husband works, but his income barely covers rent, the land payment, our children’s school, and household expenses. We live in a single room, and our situation remains very difficult. With tears in my eyes, I beg for help to have a dignified home for my family. Last year, my youngest child became ill and was diagnosed with asthma, but at the time, we couldn't afford the medical tests he needed. We were only able to complete them this week. There have been days when all we have to eat is beans. I pray to God for strength and for kindhearted people who may be able to help us. I deeply appreciate any support you can provide.

Rueda Contreras - Brooks friends (Yellow Team)

Date Build: Friday 21st - Saturday 22nd, February 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Sandra

Age: 29 years old

Job: financial advisor

Salary weekly: $130 US

FATHER: Javier

Age: 41 years old

Job: company

Salary weekly: $50 US

CHILDREN:

Jesus - 8 years old

Jose - 3 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope team, My family and I thank Jehovah for sending you into our lives and for filling our hearts with hope. My name is Sandra Contreras Contreras. I am both mother and father to my two children, José Javier Rueda Contreras and Jesús Contreras Contreras. I was born in Zitácuaro, Michoacán, a state in southern Mexico. When I was one year old, my biological parents left me in the care of my maternal grandparents and moved to Playas de Rosarito, Baja California, completely forgetting about me. My grandparents raised me and enrolled me in a school for children living in extreme poverty. However, to continue my education, I needed a birth certificate, and my grandparents could not register me with their last name. To resolve this, they had to sell part of their property and cover my biological parents’ travel expenses so they could go to Zitácuaro to register me. Just before turning 12, I was finally able to obtain my primary school certificate. From a young age, I worked to pay for my studies. I held a part-time job while attending secondary school, and I completed both high school and secondary education through hard work. My dream was to study Law at university, and I started saving for it. However, after being in a relationship for two years, I became pregnant with my first son, Jesús Contreras Contreras. My partner abandoned me and asked me to have an abortion. I used my savings for medical check-ups and worked as a domestic worker and in an auto parts store. However, the physical labor caused bleeding, and the doctor advised me to stop working to avoid losing my baby. My grandparents had always been strict, telling me that if I got pregnant outside of marriage, I would have to leave their home. Faced with this, I traveled to Playas de Rosarito seeking support from my biological parents, but I never received it. Since then, they have remained indifferent to me. Over the years, I have rented different places in Rosarito. Here, I met Javier Rueda Méndez, the father of my youngest son, José Javier Rueda Contreras. Although we do not live together, he provides financial support for our son. I currently work as a financial advisor at a supermarket, selling credit cards. Thanks to God's blessing, I was able to purchase a piece of land on installment payments, and I have been paying for it for a year and a month. I have always dreamed of owning my own home. As a child and teenager, I was often asked to leave my grandparents' house, and I also had to live with other relatives. When I heard about Casa de Esperanza, I ran to find a way to secure a home. Seeing you build a house near my land filled me with joy. It was a blessing to know that, just as that family would have a roof over their heads, my children and I could also have one. Currently, I am in a difficult situation. I was asked to vacate the room I was renting because the owner’s family needed it. Rental prices have increased significantly, making it impossible to pay rent while also covering the land payments. Jehovah provided me temporary shelter at my sister’s house, but she has asked me to find another place soon. I would have moved to my land immediately, but I do not have the means to build even a simple wooden house. I took out a bank loan to pay for the land’s down payment and continue paying both the loan and the land’s monthly installments. My eldest son also needs new school uniforms, which I have not been able to afford. I am facing a financial crisis, but I trust that Jehovah will guide me. In addition to my supermarket job, I sell clothing, burritos, and tamales to provide for my children. My priority is to move onto my land as soon as possible to improve our situation. Thank you for this incredible blessing. May God bless you always.

Fiscal Sanchez - Julie is 40 (Pink Team)

Date Build: Friday 21st - Saturday 22nd, February 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Alma

Age: 25 years old

Job: teacher

Salary weekly: $125 US

FATHER: Isai

Age: 23 years old

Job: factory worker

Salary weekly: $130 US

CHILDREN:

Caleb - 8 months old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope team, We are the Fiscal Sánchez family, and through this letter, we would like to share our story and the reasons why we are requesting your support. My name is Isai Fiscal Aguas. I was the first to arrive in Tijuana, thanks to the opportunity my parents gave me to visit the city. When I arrived, I rented a small room with a friend and slept on a mattress provided by the landlord. My aunt, who lived next door, lent me some blankets to keep warm. The first things I bought were basic kitchen utensils and food. Thanks to God, I was able to find a good job, which allowed me to gradually buy second-hand essentials like a table, a stove, and a microwave. However, there were difficult times when I had to go without food because I could barely afford rent and basic utilities. A month later, my sister Isamar Fiscal Aguas arrived in Tijuana and stayed at our aunt’s house. Thankfully, a cousin quickly helped her find a job, and I supported her with her initial expenses. When we started living together, expenses became more manageable, but when she had to return home, I was once again left to cover all the costs on my own. At that time, I was in a relationship with my now-wife, Alma Concepción Sánchez Torres. Through hard work and saving, we were able to start a family in Tijuana. When my wife arrived, we struggled to find her a job because everything was far away, and she was unfamiliar with the city. Fortunately, she found work nearby. Later, she became pregnant and was diagnosed with hypertension, which led me to leave my job to take care of her. Eventually, we found a more affordable rental room, and my sister returned to help care for my wife and share household expenses. One day, we visited my wife’s aunt, who told us about land being sold with affordable monthly payments. The monthly installment was lower than what we were paying in rent, so we decided to use our savings for the down payment. We took out an 80,000-peso loan to build a home, as we could not afford rent, land payments, childbirth expenses, and food all at once. In the last month of pregnancy, my wife had an accidental fall that caused her to lose amniotic fluid, leading to an emergency C-section. Around that time, our rental contract expired, and we had to ask my wife’s aunt to let us stay with her while we finished building a bathroom and setting up electricity. During that time, my mother-in-law also came to live with us. She stays with us for a few months at a time, as her children take turns caring for her. Thankfully, our baby was born healthy, and my wife recovered well from the surgery. However, after the birth, both of us lost our jobs, and I had to find a 12-hour night shift job with slightly better pay to support my family, pay for the land, and repay our loan. My greatest wish is for my child to grow up in a warm, secure environment without hardships. My mother-in-law briefly found a three-month temporary job, but when it ended, I once again became the sole provider. My sister had to stop working due to health issues and, despite searching for jobs in factories, has not found one. Currently, she helps take care of the baby while looking for opportunities to study and work at the same time. There have been times when we could only afford necessities for our baby and the bare minimum in groceries. Sometimes, we even run out of potable water due to land and loan payments, which is very difficult for us. We often dream of living in a home with more space, privacy, and proper conditions, without suffering from extreme weather. Right now, we live in a single room where the kitchen is also located. We have placed a board to create some privacy, but there is barely enough space for our beds. Despite the challenges, we have been improving our living conditions little by little. We repaired the leaking roof, and we continue making improvements as best we can. We still have a long way to go, but we trust in God and remain hopeful that we may receive your support in obtaining a proper home. We have faith in God and believe He will always be with us.

Devora Pantoja - Alger '25 (Blue Team)

Date Build: Friday 07th - Saturday 08th, February 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Esmeralda

Age: 48 years old

Job: carpenter with Homes of Hope

Salary weekly: $100 US

FATHER: Marco

Age: 47 years old

Job: factory worker

Salary weekly: $220 US

CHILDREN:

Karla - 16 years old

Nicole - 11 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

My name is Esmeralda Pantoja Magaña. I am 48 years old and the mother of two daughters, one is 11 and the other is 16. I have lived my entire life in Tijuana, always renting. Until recently, I was living in a house that my partner had lent me, where I stayed for 10 years. However, since the property was part of his job and was sold, we were asked to leave about a month or two ago, with a maximum deadline of two months to vacate. I have never owned a home, but I recently had the opportunity to purchase a plot of land through payments. My financial situation is difficult, and it has been a struggle to provide my daughters with a decent home. Their education has also been affected due to our economic hardships. I work selling goods on weekends, a job I have been doing for 10 years, but my income is not always enough. I also take care of my elderly mother, who has a disability that prevents her from walking. Our current home was a small one-room apartment with a kitchen and a bathroom, which made living conditions very difficult due to the lack of space. My daughters sometimes had to sleep on the floor. I would love to receive support to obtain a proper home, as this would be a great opportunity for my daughters and me. I truly appreciate your consideration, and may God bless you.

Yuriar Haro - Glenmore Christian Academy MA (Red Team)

Date Build: Tuesday 18th - Thursday 20th, February 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Maria

Age: 37 years old

FATHER: Jose

Age: 47 years old

Job: driver

Salary weekly: $150 US

CHILDREN:

Jose - 22 years old

Rosario - 13 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

To Whom It May Concern, My name is María de los Ángeles Haro Reyes, and together with my family, I am requesting your support for the construction of a home. We are currently facing great hardship, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic when I lost my father and two of my brothers. My husband also suffered the loss of his mother, grandmother, an uncle, and a niece. We are a close-knit family, but we are deeply concerned about the current weather conditions, as we do not have a safe home. My husband takes on small jobs, but his income is limited and barely covers our basic household expenses. I am unable to work due to a health condition that the public healthcare system has not been able to address, as I had to undergo surgery with a private specialist. Additionally, we help support my mother, who was recently shot in the leg. This has led to significant medical expenses and legal proceedings. We also do everything we can to support our eldest son’s education, as he is a dedicated student, and we want him to have better opportunities than we had. Despite our struggles, we work hard every day to move forward. From home, I contribute through household work and do my best to keep our family progressing. For all these reasons, I humbly ask for your support in the hope of providing my family with a safe place to live.

Lopez Rodriguez - Brooks friends (Teal Team)

Date Build: Friday 21st - Saturday 22nd, February 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Monica

Age: 29 years old

Job: beauty products seller

Salary weekly: $100 US

FATHER: Francisco

Age: 36 years old

Job: Worker in an optics factory

Salary weekly: $160 US

CHILDREN:

Monica - 13 years old

Fernando - 11 years old

Luis - 5 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Warm greetings,

My name is Mónica Rodríguez, and I would like to share a part of my story with you. I became a mother at the age of 15, first with a daughter, and years later, I had two sons. It was a difficult journey, as I faced many challenges with my children, including illnesses and surgeries. Thanks to God, they are all healthy today. At the age of 23, I became a single mother of three. It was a very challenging time, as I had to take on both parental roles, working hard to provide for their needs and give them a better future. I always wanted to offer them a stable home, but with my salary, I couldn't give them the quality of life they deserved. For a while, I rented homes so my children could have their own space. However, at one point, we were asked to leave the house we were renting, and my mother offered me a small wooden room in her backyard where we could share expenses. I continued to work hard, and three years ago, I met Francisco, my current partner. Together, we made the decision to buy a piece of land with the dream of building our own home and providing a better space for my children. However, due to financial constraints, we have been unable to start construction. While I do not pay a fixed rent at my mother’s house, we contribute by helping with utilities and home improvements. Despite the challenges, we have begun working on our land, leveling and fencing it, and it feels good to have something of our own. My children love running and playing there happily. With God’s blessing, I hope to have a house for my family. That is why I sought help, and through a church, I heard about your organization. With faith and hope, I decided to reach out to Homes of Hope for support. To me, having a home would mean stability for my children, freeing us from the uncertainty of constantly moving. I am deeply grateful to God for your work because I know that many families need support, and you provide them with the opportunity to be heard. I trust that God will continue to bless you so you can keep helping others. This is a part of my life. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I will be praying for you. May God always bless you.

Gomez Ruiz - Glenmore Christian Academy MA (Blue Team)

Date Build: Tuesday 18th - Thursday 20th, February 2025

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Veronica

Age: 33 years old

CHILDREN:

Mia - 13 years old

Francisco - 4 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

My name is Verónica Yazmín Ruiz Gómez, and I am the mother of two children: a 13-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. I am reaching out to you in hopes of receiving support for building a home. I learned about your work through social media and saw how many families have benefited from your help. That encouraged me to try. I know it won’t be easy, but I have hope. It brings me joy to know that there are still people willing to help those in need. I am seeking this support because I am a single mother and rely financially on the assistance provided by my ex-husband, the father of my children, as well as my mother, who helps me with groceries. Finding a job has been difficult since I have not been able to find a schedule that fits my needs. My son is still very young, my daughter is in school, and I don’t have anyone nearby to care for them. I have been living on my plot of land for a year and five months. Before that, my sister and I rented a home, but we were asked to leave suddenly, so I had no choice but to move to my land. At first, we built a small room where we all slept together until my sister was able to construct her own space on her plot next to mine. Later, roads were built behind my land, causing dirt and rocks to fall onto my home, damaging one of the walls. Fortunately, the responsible offices took care of the damage. Currently, my children and I still live in this single wooden room, which has no flooring, and we use a latrine as our bathroom. My daughter attends the local middle school, which, while nearby, is still quite a walk. Every day, we walk there and back. This has made it even more difficult for me to secure a full-time job, as I worry about my daughter walking alone. I am reaching out to you in hopes of providing my children with a warmer and more secure home. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read my request. May God bless and protect you always.