A group of Episcopalians from Marin County will construct the final house of 2005 when they travel to Colonet from June 16-23.  Under the leadership of veteran Jack Grimes, the team will be building Casa #29 (the sixth of year 2005) on the hill just south of town.    

Four houses were built during Easter and Spring breaks by groups which included a large number of youngsters who were enjoying a week’s respite from their academic grind.  Teams from Paradise UMC and Trinity UMC of Chico each built a house during the period March 19-23.  The Chico house was built just north of the bridge across the dry river bed, while the Paradise home was built in the hills several blocks south of the kindergarten built several years ago.

 The usual large contingent from Los Gatos UMC built two houses during its week in Colonet (April 10-14).  This raised the number of houses erected by Los Gatos crews to 11!  Both of their homes were constructed on a single parcel in the hills that rise above Highway One, just east of the bridge.  Their homes were built for a grandmother, daughter and grand-daughter.

During the race, sections of the highway from Santo Tomas to San Vicente are lined with thousands of local residents and hundreds of pit crew volunteers who are carrying extra tires and gas for those vehicles involved in the race.

            Another major project involved helping Frances Jackson put the finishing touches on the dining room adjacent to her kitchen, which was finally completed only 25 years after she started!  Future volunteer groups will now be able to dine in style at her house rather than at the more austere school kitchen.  The gentleman who did the finish work on her walls was a genuine artist who added some splendid designs and texture to the existing rock and concrete walls. 

           Speaking of costs, the price of building materials has risen substantially in the past two years, and the cost of building a 240-square foot house is now about $3200, including the following:

            Cement Slab and Plumbing Parts             $  390

            Lumber and shingles from Ensenada      $1900

            Doors from U.S.                                            $  200

            Windows from Colonet manufacturer      $  200

            Plumbing Supplies                                       $  300

            Electrical Supplies                                       $    60

            Miscellaneous                                               $  100

            Special thanks are in order to Paradise and Durham UMCs for their donations, and particularly to Betty Peters of Trinity Chico who single-handedly contributed dozens of presents and nearly filled the truck with clothes, blankets  and sleeping bags that Frances will pass out to local families trying to cope with the winter weather.  (Heavy overnight frosts are common in the area south of Ensenada). 

                  We are currently laying plans for the 2005 building program.  While we were hoping that a local grower would contribute another parcel for a second 10-plex, that has not been forthcoming.  However, Frances has had a number of requests for individual homes from families who have managed to acquire a piece of land in the past several years, but who have not been able to afford a house.  Thus, the initial emphasis in 2005 will be on constructing individual homes.  As of December, the only group with a confirmed date is Los Gatos whose youth will celebrate Spring Break (April 11-15) by building a pair of 12 x 20 houses on slabs that will be poured in the next couple of months.    Frances has a number of other candidates for other groups, as we continue to work toward the goal of obtaining land for another ten-unit complex. 

            Other groups that have indicated interest so far include Trinity UMC Chico (during Easter Vacation), Foothills UMC (possibly in June), St. John’s Episcopal of Marin, and the Rotary Club of Marin.  The estimated cost of constructing a house in 2005 remains about $2500, which includes the slab, building materials purchased in Ensenada, donated windows, and the various materials purchased in the U.S. (doors, plumbing, electrical and hardware). 

            There usually are not a lot of changes in Colonet, and this trip produced few surprises…..except for the fact that the year-old project to construct a PEMEX station in downtown Colonet finally was completed!  Also, there was some additional evidence of entrepreneurial enterprise on the part of one Senor Arturo who has re-opened the basket concession a few miles east of the Hotel Sonora Hilton.  Speaking of which, the (formerly pink) motel now is painted a bright white and is sporting some elaborate decorations for the Christmas season.

            Questions or comments:  zeenut@sunset.net

       Work began Saturday morning, and by sunset most of the framing was completed.  As with the first units of the 10-unit complex, these homes do not contain separate bathrooms.  (Two bathrooms and a shower are located at the end of the building and are shared by the residents of all four units).  Since all of the units in the complex are intended for senior citizens, they are constructed with shorter (72" and 96") walls without a loft.

         Most of Sunday was devoted to interior and exterior paneling, which went fairly quickly, thanks to some diligent labor augmented with a rapid-fire nailing gun.  A large painting crew also was hard at work, pre-painting the 40 panels needed for the roof, along with the 45 rafters and 84 blocks which support the panels. 

           By Monday, it was time to install the rafters and roofing panels in order to permit the shingling crew to get an early start on Tuesday morning.  Meanwhile, painting crews worked on the 60 pieces of exterior trim, painting them a bright white to match the design on the six units that were completed last April.   At the same time, a team of electricians intalled plugs and lights in the four houses.  (None of the units are expected to have electricity for some months, as several poles need to be erected, as well as wires strung from the poles to individual homes.  Apparently this also involves a complicated inspection and approval process in which the local Rotary Club is expected to play the lead role).

         The rest of the week was devoted to installing the plumbing for the sinks in the individual units as well as the toilets and shower at the end of the builidng.  As with the electricity, it is not expected that units will have water in the immediate future.  Most of Colonet has water only two or three days in an average week, and the area's water authority is refusing to approve any more hook-ups until the present supply is augmented.  (During the summer, most of the scarce water supplies are allocated to the local growers). 

           Team Leader Vic Baldridge was not willing to take no for an answer, however, and, working with members of the San Quintin Rotary Club, organized a delegation to visit the area water officials in Colonia Vicente Guerrero.  When they heard about the volunteer building project, the officials were sympathetic to the plight of the ten water-less homeowners, and agreed to recommend issuance of water permits for the complex.  This has to be approved by even higher level officials in Ensenada, and another delegation was being dispatched to that city to plead the case for a waiver from the water ban.   (More later, hopefully).

            The Rotary team also decided to tackle the problem of a septic system for the ten-unit complex.  While they were in Colonia Vicente Guerrero, delegation members presented the problem to the water officials who agreed to provide a back-hoe to dig the large hole necessary for the purpose.  The back-hoe started work later that afternoon, and after a couple of false starts (and the provision of some pesos and beverages to a second back-hoe operator) the hole was completed that day.  After which the team passed the hat and raised the $700 that Ivan will need for the labor and materials to construct a concrete holding tank!  With a little water and a little concrete, who knows:  Maybe the folks at the Senior Complex will have working toilets sometime in the near future!

           But the unfavorable conditions were tolerated by a group of people eager to build and work together.  On that Saturday afternoon we were able to put up the exterior walls, do some painting, and erect a roof. By Sunday morning the roof was sheeted and work was begun inside of the 12 x 20 foot house.   In the next day a sleeping loft was added as well as windows and a kitchen - bathroom area.  Tuesday and Wednesday had our team doing finish work - plumbing, electrical, painting, molding, doors. 

           There is little water in Colonet and the lack of water is a tremendous problem for local residents.  To fill the water tank that would be installed costs $10.00 which is quite a high price for a mother who earns so little money.  It is the same with electricity.  We provided the wiring for electricity, but the cost of it each month prohibits most of the families we help from being able to use it.

            The family in which we served consisted of a 38 year old abandoned mother, her five children, and one grandchild.  Her husband had gone to the United States and never returned.  This lady works in the fields all day and has little money to feed her family - much less provide them with basic shelter.  While the house was being constructed, the family was eager to watch over the building site, slept out on the side of the hill on pieces of cardboard that they had scrounged.  They used an open fire for cooking and had one pot in which to cook their food. 

             The woman and her family were eager to help after her day was completed working in the fields.  As poor as she was, this woman displayed a graciousness and generosity that overwhelmed and touched us.  The evening that the house was completed, we were invited to come to her home for dinner.  Even though she had very little, this young mother wanted to thank us by inviting us into her home.  When we arrived at the little house we could hear beautiful singing and entered the home only to find a gathering of people who were there to spiritually celebrate a blessing of the house. 

            The Pentecostal minister played his guitar and we heard some beautiful Spanish hymns.  By the end of the service there were few dry eyes.  It became particularly poignant when the mother of the household talked to us and expressed her appreciation for what she called "the miracle" she had been given.  Words cannot begin to express what that particular evening meant to me.  I was deeply moved by the sincerity and love of those who gathered together with us to express their gratitude.

           In fact, all week I felt "touched" by different people.  There was Francis Jackson - a Mexican "Mother Teresa" who helps in her Colonet community.  It was Francis who acted as our interpreter and took care of us each evening with wonderful food served in her home.  She also arranged for us to visit the local schools and distribute educational supplies.  Francis is the matriarch of her community and advised us on who needed assistance the most.  She became invaluable at the local police station when we had to deal with an automobile incident involving one of  the drivers of our cars who had accidentally hit a young child.

          Challenges came up while we were in Mexico and as leader of the team I felt a large responsibility for the welfare of each and every person.  However, through faith and working closely together in team spirit- problems were solved.  Each evening before bed - there would be short meetings to discuss the days events and partake of spiritual food for thought.  This became a very special time because through people's discussions it became very obvious just how much the work we were doing was blessing us all.  There is a saying that states - "When you give - you receive" .  I felt throughout my Colonet experience that I was receiving far more than what I was giving.

               Other highlights of the week included several visits to schools. One morning our group of seven was invited to visit a little one-room schoolhouse that had been built by a previous VIM team.  The children and their parents were so grateful for the school that we were treated to a wonderful breakfast prepared by some of the mothers of the school children.  We also got to play games with the kids and sing with them.  At another school where VIM had built a kitchen, the school children celebrated our visit by sharing with us some of their special dances.

             On another occasion a man and his family arrived at our building site one hot and dusty afternoon with bottles of water and soda for our group.  He had seen us working on the side of the hill and wanted to provide beverages for us since a previous VIM group had built a home for him and his family (Martin Fuertes and family living in Casa XII).  This man was very poor, he had already been provided with a home, yet he still found the time and money to show his gratitude by giving something for us to drink on that warm, sunny afternoon.

         The week proceeded very quickly and it was soon time to leave Colonet.  We were left with so many precious memories and the desire to return to Colonet  within the next year.

           It was the largest project in a three-year program in which conference volunteers have constructed a total of 18 homes and community buildings for residents of this small town 150 miles south of San Diego.  One group of 30 was organized by Shasta District Lay Leader David Haynes of Trinity UMC in Chico.  His group built two houses in the week before Easter.  They were followed a few days later by 40 volunteers, most of them from Los Gatos UMC. This contingent was assembled by Los Gatos members Dave Wolf and Karen Noe and constructed a fourplex.

           “This was an excellent week for all of the kids,” said Los Gatos organizer Karen Noe.  “Most of the experienced adults worked hard to involve the youngsters in the project, and they have gained a lot of skills in many areas, including plumbing, electrical and roofing.” 

            Each home contains a large counter and sink for food preparation.  Two toilets and a shower are included at the ends of both the duplex and fourplex, although it may be a year or more before the local water system reaches the newly constructed buildings.  The toilets and shower also will require construction of a septic system, a project usually undertaken by the residents themselves.

          On previous trips, volunteers have constructed single dwellings, but future groups likely will concentrate on multiple units such as duplexes and four-plexes.  The Chico group was able to complete its duplex in four days, while the Los Gatos group was able to finish the four-plex in about five days.  “The goal is to put as many roofs over as many heads as possible,” explained David Haynes.  “If we can build two attached homes in about the same time as a single house, why not?”

            Although the future focus will be on multiple dwellings, smaller groups still will build occasional individual homes, starting with a team from Foothills UMC in June.  They will construct a home for a mother with two children on a hill overlooking Mexican Highway One during the week of June 12-17. 

Although all of the homes thus far have been constructed by Methodist groups, the project has also attracted the attention of Rotarians, both in the U.S. and Baja.   Rotary member Vic Baldridge of San Rafael is assembling a team that will consist of both Rotary members and Methodists that will return to Colonet in August and build the fourplex that will complete the 10-unit complex started in April.  That team will begin work on Saturday, July 31 and hopes to be finished by Wednesday, August 4. 

         More than 60 volunteers are expected to travel to Colonet in mid-April to construct six houses in the next phase in the California-Nevada Conference’s Mexico housing project.  A group headed by David Haynes of Trinity Chico will be building two houses in the week before Easter (April 3-9), and a second contingent organized by Dave Wolf and Karen Noe of Las Gatos UMC will construct a fourplex during the week after Easter (April 10-16).  Previous groups have constructed a total of nine houses and three community buildings since the UMC initiated the current program three years ago.

          The April projects represent a significant departure from previous efforts when groups traveled to Mexico to build a single house in three or four days.  Now groups will be staying five or six days and will be constructing multiple-unit structures.  The Chico group will erect a 12’ x 44’ building that will contain two 12’ x 20’ homes, along with a set of toilets and shower that will be shared by residents.  The Los Gatos volunteers will build a 12’ x 84’ structure that will contain four 12’ x 20’ units and another set of toilets and shower.

          A major impetus to the program has been provided by local grower Sergio Saucedo whose company, Ejido Agricola, is donating about one-quarter of an acre for this next series of buildings.  In addition to the two buildings planned for April, a third four-plex will be constructed later in the year, bringing the total number of homes on the parcel to ten.   The units will be placed in a U-shaped configuration, allowing for a central court that can be used for a community garden or children’s play area. 

The land is located about three blocks west of Mexican Highway One at the edge of a huge open area that separates central Colonet from the less developed area that has been populated by many residents who have emigrated from the predominantly Indian areas in southern Mexico.  The huge parcel of vacant land is owned by local growers and has been proposed as the site for a new high school and park, among other possible uses.  The growers have indicated that additional land in this area might be available for future VIM housing projects.

          Considerable discussion has preceded the plans to use this land, as Frances wanted to receive assurances from the donor that the residents would be guaranteed the right to live in the homes for the remainder of their lives.  Accordingly, the donating growers will be registering papers with the local town offices (that is, the Delegado) that will provide residents with the legal right to remain in their homes until they die.  After that, the homes will be available for the placement of successor tenants.

          During April’s construction projects, a number of volunteers will be engaged in other community efforts, including a number of jobs at the local Iglesia Metodista.  The local pastors (Jose Gomez and wife Gabriela) have asked for help in a number of areas, including the possibility of having a Vacation Bible School in one or both weeks.  This would be an extremely valuable opportunity for the Estados Unidos youth to interact with some of the kids in the community we are serving!  Other requests from Jose and Gabriela:

           Other administrative details for the trips to come:

            1.  Materials Needed.   Most of the doors, headers, toilets, kitchen counters and paint have already been delivered to Colonet and are now being stored in Frances’ kitchen at the elementary school.  However, additional items are needed, including six identical 72” x 48” windows (to be provided by Vic Baldridge), at least 50 gallons of interior paint (white or something close to it), and six stainless steel sinks.  Contributors/providers will be held in high esteem, of course.

            2.  Housing Possibilities.  A total of 14 rooms have been reserved at the Sonora Hilton for the Chico group, and all 17 rooms have been requested for the Los Gatos contingent.  The Iglesia Sunday School also will be available, and the overflow (if any) can be handled at the Senior Center or the Kitchen. 

            3.  Food.  As in the past, Frances will be providing dinner each night in the school kitchen.  As on previous trips, if we provide the vittles, she does the cookin’.  Both groups should make plans to purchase food in the U.S. before crossing the border…..in the past this usually has been chicken, ground beef, cheese and large quantities of lettuce.  However, there are no limitations in this area….and other food stuffs (such as tender steaks, honey-baked hams, and similar staples) would probably be greeted with favor.  In view of the enormous burden we are placing on Frances for two weeks, it is important that we NOT involve her or the kitchen for breakfasts and lunches.   (In this regard, it must be appreciated that Frances has lost Elsa, her niece and principal helpmate.  Elsa Sifuentes and her family were forced to relocate to Tijuana in order to permit her husband (Gustavo) to find a suitable job in the U.S.) 

            4.  Power.  There will not be any electricity proximate to the building site, and we will need at least one more generator from each group.

            5.  Lessons learned.  Apparently the Mexican officials are now being a bit more aggressive in collecting duty…..and on a recent trip, we were forced to pay a whopping $51 in order to import six toilets purchased in the U.S.  The great irony is that these toilets were MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO.  What ever happened to NAFTA??  We have a suggested strategy for avoiding this situation that we will not post on the public internet, but would be happy to share off line. 

            Lesson #2.  It is illegal to pass another vehicle over a single, solid line.  (You can pass only in those rare areas where the line is broken).  This is probably the most ignored law in Mexico, but it still yields occasional revenue to support the local constabulary in a suitable manner.  When stopped, the procedure involves the patrolman confiscating the offender’s license…..and a court appearance in Ensenada at which the fine is paid and the license is retrieved.  Most motorists would find this inconvenient, so the traffic patrolman suggests the alternative of an instant fine.  (Only $21, and it is best NOT to ask for a receipt).

          Reaching the job site gave everyone a chance to get a close look at the sort of farming that is now the norm in the modern, globalized economy—huge fields of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash as far as you could see in many directions.  Particularly tomatoes!  And each trip back and forth to the job site was an adventure in itself, as the narrow dirt road was a veritable expressway for huge vegetable trucks and school buses (transporting workers to and from the fields).  

       As noted, Casa XII was constructed for Martin Villa Fuertes and his family.  He is a key employee on a 500-acre tomato farm that surrounds the lot on which his new home sits.  He and his wife were active participants in the construction, doing a fair amount of painting as well as keeping the crew well fed during their four days on the job site.  Much to our surprise, his very kind and enterprising ‘boss’ —the owner of the 500-acre farm (and also Gelina's Godfather!)-- spent several days at the job site, helping to prepare lunches on two days. 

      While Casa XII was under construction, three members of the 13-person crew  were busy constructing a new roof for the home of 84-year-old Ruffina Ramirez who lives just off Highway One, about midway between Colonet and the Sonora Hilton.  As the pictures will suggest, this is a rather imposing structure—both in terms of its mass and its rather distinctive bright blue color.  A fine addition to the Mexican landscape!

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