Claudia is a 29-year old widow with four children: Myra (14), Laura (11), Modesto (9) and Juan (6). Her husband died just after Juanito was born six years ago. Claudia and Myra work in the fields as much as possible, some times even seven days a week. The boys, Modesto and Juan, were enrolled in the local school, but Laura – at age 11 – had never been to school. Laura stayed home to do such family chores as washing clothes, cooking and tending to her 3-month old cousin.

When Claudia first came to Welcome Home to ask about a house build, she and her children were living with her brother and his family of five, plus grandma, in a makeshift house of pallets and plastic in the community of Zapata. Twelve total, all living in a small shelter with just a doorway and no windows. On the adjacent lot, which Claudia was buying, they had attempted to erect a shelter for her family. It was about 12' x 18', assorted pieces of wood and pallets, with no floor and no roof.

This is the project that a team from First Reformed Church and Medi-Mex (Lansing, IL) took on in October 2009.  Naturally, the new block house with a cement floor, three windows and a real door was a tremendous blessing to Claudia and her children – as were the bunkbeds and mattresses that the group purchased for the family.

But the First Reformed/Medi-Mex folks got involved on a deeper level as well. Prior to the group's trip to Vicente Guerrero, we told them about the children's school situation.  While the two young boys were attending school, the mother did not have the money to purchase the uniforms they needed or pay the school fees that were due.  And 11-year old Laura had never been to school.  When team leader, Jerry Cassity, told the First Reformed congregation about the family they would be building for, the story touched hearts.  Even though Jerry hadn't asked for any additional funds (over and above the house construction money), he walked away from church that morning with $1,100 in his hand, specifically earmarked for the children's education!

What an amazing week it was! We explored with Claudia and the other adults the possibility of getting Laura into school.  Is this something they would want and support? How would it affect the family dynamics? They responded, “Yes, we want her to learn to write her name.”  What a humble goal! So the ball was rolling. We visited the school and talked at length with the principal so we could understand the requirements and expectations. Then, with the help of our daycare director, Brigida, we were delighted to take the children on a shopping trip for their school uniforms (2 sets each) and new shoes (2 pairs each). We were also able to purchase a uniform and shoes for the brother's oldest boy. The school fees were paid and some supplies even purchased for the school itself.

And then, on Thursday of the group's week with us, Claudia's three children went to school in their new uniforms, Laura for the very first time in her life. You can imagine the emotions!

It really doesn't take too much to make a big difference in someone else's life. The only requirements are a willing heart and hands.

[Back]