back on the ground…
prayer, originally uploaded by James Matthew.
Stay tuned…
house {re}build
hillside, terrazas, originally uploaded by James Matthew.
Notes from the Ground: Sept. 23rd. Tijuana
the view, originally uploaded by James Matthew.
An excerpt from my notebook-
___________________________
Sept. 23.o8
We ended up working on 4 different houses scattered across the hillside today – putting tarpaper and chicken wire up – cramped working conditions, and very rough living…
Last winter a mudslide left a few feet of mud and debris in some of the houses, one house up the hill has no floor (and probably that is the norm here), just a tar paper covering. The house next door to it has a tarp ‘roof’ that leaks whenever it rains. The other house has tarantulas coming through holes in the walls – they have young children…
It is very hard to look people in the eyes as they try to communicate their needs (after trying to translate in your head) and give them an answer that is worthy…
_______________________________________
Our team worked on the side of a hill that appeared like something out of the Middle East – It was rocky, sandy, and windblown. Some of our team had to lug bags of cement, wood, and tools up the hill in the hot TJ sun. The view was an amazing reminder that the living conditions here are not unique…at one point, I had to walk down the hill with a local lady to talk with Carley about trying to get her tarp roof replaced with something a little more stable (her house is the one on ‘stilts’ shown below, and is highest up on the hillside). It was difficult to face this lady and tell her there wasn’t much I could do. Carley’s response was graceful but practical – we’ve already committed ourselves to help certain families on this hill, and we only have so much to go around, but we do come back, and we will do what we can.- This is definitely a hard lesson to learn…
-james
hillside, originally uploaded by James Matthew.
Floored…
Well, it looks like it has happened!! Another goal met – our house build has been pledged!
Through pledges, a donation from someone who wishes to remain anonymous (thank you so much for flooring me!) & a partnership with Bridges Community , we’ve potentially met that goal.
All I can say, is YES!!! Thank you so much for your support. I’m stoked to pass on the news -
The Cameras With a Conscience 08 TJ House is a go!!
For those of you who were just holding back, waiting till the last minute, there’s still those backpacks!
I can’t say how much this rocks!
Donation Info…
Some more big news…
After chatting it up with Carley, our TJ connection who works with Childcare Worldwide, we’ve been able to set up a project through their org.
That means you can get a tax receipt for donations over 20 dollars towards the Cameras With a Conscience Mexico House Build.
It’s as easy as this:
1. Write a cheque to Childcare Worldwide
2. In the memo, put a note clearly stating it is for the Cameras With a Conscience Mexico House Build
3. Stick it in the mail to:
Childcare Worldwide
PO Box 75149
White Rock, BC V4B 5L3
4. Any donation over 20 dollars will receive a tax receipt at the end of the year from Childcare Worldwide.
5. Come September o8 – we build a house for a family in Terrazas!
We are stoked about this partnership! My family signed up last year to sponsor a child in Terrazas, TJ. If you are looking to impact a child’s life – I would highly recommend it!
Childcare can also accept visa and mastercard. I’ll post the details on donating via plastic as soon as I can.
Let’s build a house!
Our Goal for Sept. o8: One house build. { cost = $5500 }
Be the example – spread hope
Cat Cora
