PAYING IT FORWARD…
HOUSE BUILD #1 (for the working poor of Baja Mexico, through BajaBound.org):
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?" - Martin Luther King Jr.
“Respond to every call that excites your spirit.” - Rumi
My friends and I believe in the importance of paying it forward and making a difference firsthand. So, we raised funds to help the working poor of Baja Mexico—our neighbors just two hours south of the San Diego border. This three-day house build benefited the Sanchez family of three.
I had so much fun filming the process that I created a mini documentary—not just for those of us who built, but also to raise awareness and support future builds.
HOUSE BUILD #2 (in memory of my dad): for the Cortez family of four
“We rise by lifting others.” – Robert Ingersoll
While we were working on our second house build, we ran into the Sanchez family from our very first build. It was amazing to see them so happy—and to know they were now protected from the elements, especially during the harsh El Niño winter of 2015.
“A family, growing roots!”
HOUSE BUILD #3: for the Campo family of four
"It's in the shelter of each other that the people live." - Irish Proverb
On May 22, 2016, we completed our third house in Maneadero, Baja California, Mexico. This one was for the Campo family of five: Emmanuel (37, in the yellow T-shirt), his wife Zenaida (21, to his right in the red hoodie), their 4-year-old daughter Denisse (in pink), and their 4-month-old baby, Emmanuel Jr. (center). Until now, the entire family lived in the small trailer shown in the photo on the left.
We were especially grateful to help this family because Denisse is unable to walk or run like other children her age. It’s not just the rocky terrain or the dirt floor—she was born with a displaced hip. Her left hip is incomplete, and she’s been battling osteoporosis due to a lack of movement. She has already undergone three surgeries and will require more.
Emmanuel Sr. had been working for a few months at Campo Esperanza, according to Laura Baetz, Baja Bound’s Organization Coordinator. And in her words, the story begins like this:
“He arrived asking for help and to see if he could apply for a house for his family. He applied last year and was placed on the waiting list. As he came to know the mission of Campo Esperanza, he continued coming to help, in a way that was very humble and helpful, asking for nothing for himself. We were very surprised at how talented and what a hard worker he is, and as our friendship with him deepened, we began to realize how deep his need was. His family was living in the home of his mother-in-law because it has a floor (rather than dirt) and so his daughter could walk better there despite her displaced hip. His job was selling knives to tacos stands. He did not earn enough to feed his family, buy his daughter's medication, and build a house, so we offered to let him live at Campo Esperanza and work there. They were there for a few months, but with the desire to return to their property and build their house. He is now taking a great deal of time to work on his property and his little house, but they need a little help to move forward.And we were so happy to go down there and give this precious family a little extra help, by building a house alongside with them, so they can grow roots and prosper in a world where we are 'one.'“
People all over the world need our help—and this is our way of making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We are all connected, and it’s on us to show up for one another.
I loved capturing the experience on film and editing it—both for our group and to raise public awareness.
Each time we return, we check in on the families we’ve built homes for and connect with their neighbors. We visit Campo Esperanza, bring donations to meet their needs, share time and stories, meet new beautiful souls, and learn more about them—and about ourselves. We laugh, reflect, and simply be, as life is meant to be lived: fully, together, and beautifully.
