June 26th-29th (Friday-Monday) - House build for a much needing family!

We'll be going to Maneadero, Mexico, which is just south of Ensenada to build a house from the ground up for the Mata Aquino Family. Here is some more info on the family we will be helping:

Mother

Luz Juanita Aquino Cruz is 25 years old and was born in Ensenada. She has two siblings and is the oldest. She went to school through high school. Her parents are originally from Oaxaca but have lived in Maneadero for many years. Luz helps support her household by selling secondhand clothing. She is also currently pregnant!

Father

Pedro Iván Mata Silva is Luz’s partner and is 24 years old. He was born in Ensenada. He completed middle school and began high school but did not continue. He has four siblings and is the third in birth order. He currently works alongside Luz buying and selling secondhand clothing, and when opportunities arise, he also works as a construction assistant.

Their Story

Luz and Pedro have been together for six years. They met when Pedro started high school and stayed in touch before eventually deciding to date and later started living together. At first, they lived in Luz’s mother’s home, and later moved to Pedro’s mother’s home. Three months ago, they built a small wooden room on their land and moved in. Two years ago, Luz’s mother sold them the land through payments for a total of 60,000 pesos (approx 3500 dls), and they have less than 9,000 pesos (approx 530 dls) left to finish paying it off. The property does not have access to running water or electricity. They have never had a home of their own and hope to live more comfortably in the future.

Their Daughter

Evelyn Abril Mata Aquino is 4 years old and was born in Ensenada. She has recently been enrolled in kindergarten. She is very talkative and enjoys playing with modeling clay.

Baja Bound Ministries (https://bajabound.org/) is hosting our build and providing our lodging and meals. I have been on 4 Baja Bound builds in the last year and they are an incredible way to have a real impact and help bring human beings out of poverty.

If you would like to JOIN us to change a families' life:

1. The suggested minimum donation per adult participant is $300. For youth or adults under 25 yo, the suggested minimum donation is $150. This amount will cover 3 nights food and lodging for the participant at the Baja Bound beachfront site. If you are unable to donate this amount but still want to join, contact me and we will make sure you can go.
2. The total cost for the house is $10,000, so any additional donations are appreciated. Encourage friends and family members to make a donation to sponsor you for this build (just share this page with them or on social media)
3. Participants will need to find their own transportation down to San Diego and be there by no later than 2pm on June 26th. Some participants may choose to drive down and car pool others across the border. If we need to rent a van to get us all down there, we will. The drive is about 2.5 hours from San Diego. It is safe, on paved, mostly toll roads.
4. We will drive across the border and plan to arrive at the Baja Bound lodging in the evening of Friday, June 26th. We will build the house on Saturday and Sunday. We will dedicate the house on the morning of Monday, June 29th and then drive back to San Diego. Any return flights out of San Diego should be scheduled to depart after 6pm on Monday, June 29th so you have plenty of time to get there hours before your flight.
5. Everyone will have an opportunity to build the home as well as visit a local school.
6. There is NO experience necessary, NO Spanish speaking needed, and NO construction experience necessary.
7. I will do coordination among participants via a Whatsapp group chat. If you want to join this build, submit your information via this form: https://forms.gle/RnuqAKd94Rm5DEzv6 and I will add you to the group.

If you would like to DONATE to this project all funds funnel to BajaBound and will be spent towards:

- An experienced staff that provides logistics, set-up, guidance and interpreters.

- Construction materials, equipment, and every other needed element to build a 16 X 20 insulated home on a concrete slab with electrical wiring (Utilities permitting).

- Service programs and outreach in the community and local orphanage.

Thanks in advance for any donations you are able to make!

Jim Curtis

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something." -Helen Keller

THANK YOU for choosing to do something! In cases like these, that "something" means EVERYTHING.