Happy March! We hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy during this hard time in our world. While your emails and social media are filling with news of the Coronavirus, we would like to provide a break and update you on what we have been since the beginning of the year and how we plan to spend the rest of our 2020!
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Every day the world is changing and we are experiencing something that many of us could have never imagined. With deep sadness, we are suspending the builds through March and will update monthly about later builds. Additionally we will not be delivering donations to Mexico at this time. Because health and safety is our top priority, we have made this decision with not only the health and safety of our builders in mind, and our families as well. As a community, we should be doing every part we can to stop the spread of this virus, especially to our vulnerable communities here in San Diego and in Tijuana. If we practice social distancing now, we hope to be back to building soon! While Kathy and the master carpenters will have to figure out how to entertain themselves at home on the weekend, they will be ready for an intense build season later this year!
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On March 7, University City High School sponsored the first build of the year for the Díaz family. To the right are Jeysson and Lupita, the parents to Angie (9), Kimberly (6), and Jason (16 mos.). Jeysson works as an Uber driver in a car he rents and makes and sells pizza with his wife. Angie and Kimberly had a great time getting to know and becoming friends with so many of the builders from UCHS. The entire Diaz family loves soccer and we won't be surprised if Angie, Kimberly, or Jason are on the Mexican national team one day!
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For over a year, we have been partnering with Heaven on Earth NOW by providing home packages along with a supply of healthy food for every family we build for. As part of their "Begin Again" initiative, every family receives a collection of brand new items including kitchen and cooking utensils, cleaning and hygiene supplies, school supplies, and individualized gifts for every member of the family. You may have seen this items arranged on a table in the living room or on a bed in the bedroom. All of these beautiful items are from the grant that Heaven on Earth provides us with for every build! Pictured to the right is Angie smiling with her new headband and water bottle. In addition to the household items, Angie was elated to receive a brand new backpack filled with a pencil case, writing utensils, notebooks, hair accessories and more. She now uses this backpack to go to school and is so proud of it. This partnership allows us to provide families with a new beginning in a new home. Many families have never received brand new items to open and use for themselves. Families have described the experience like a Christmas they have never had! Thank you Heaven on Earth NOW for bringing joy and love to our families.
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On February 6, Faro de Luz received 50 trees from the government to plant around the community center and playground. The whole community learned how to plant trees and about the importance of keeping the environment clean. The community will make sure they continue to water the trees outside of the rain season and hope to see them grow into a beautiful 'forest!'
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On February 23, four couples at Faro de Luz got married during a beautiful ceremony. Community members and volunteers spent all day on Saturday preparing for the wedding, including a huge pot of barbacoa! Pictured on the right is Antonia, being walked down the aisle by her son-in-law. Antonia has been with her partner, Cresencio, for 17 years. Along with 3 other couples, Antonia's dream was made true by all of the support we receive at Faro de Luz! Antonia and all of the couple's expectations were exceeded when we announced that Heaven on Earth had bought a brand new stove for every couple. They are able to start out their marriage cooking a hot meal for their family. Thank you Heaven on Earth for such an amazing gift and congratulations to all of the couples who got married, we wish you a marriage full of health, happiness and prosperity!
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The Faro de Luz church and community center have decided to suspend community activities until the risk of COVID-19 has decreased. However, they are maintaining their meal schedule, providing 3 meals per week. While families lose their jobs, food insecurity increases. We need your help to keep our families fed! Our Despensas de Luz program is based off of monthly donations from our sponsors. We would love to receive any amount of donation to help families keep food on their tables. We receive donations through our website or on Venmo @casasdeluz. Be sure to put "Despensas de Luz" in the memo! Thank you for your support in keeping our families healthy!
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During the rainy season, it always makes us think of the families in Tijuana who worry about the effects of mud, leaking, and floods. It also allows us to reflect on how grateful we are to have built over 150 homes, keeping more families safe and dry. Below are a few words from Hermelinda, a widow and mother who received a home from the women's build in October 2018.
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"This was a huge surprise for me, nothing I could have ever imagined. I know generosity but nothing of this magnitude. Now we don’t have to worry about rain or the cold air coming in through our roof. I have learned so much from this experience." - Hermelinda González
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Sheds are at the end of the parking lot of the church if coming from the North. If you are coming from the South, take Via de la Valle and drive towards the ocean. On Del Mar Downs Road, turn right and continue until the end of the road where you will turn left. Drive left up the hill and the sheds will be on your left! There is a rope protecting our sheds from being a dump zone, so feel free to drop off your
usable
donations right there!
Please contact us so we know to expect it!
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