It is amazing how things fall into place to move mountains.

A few months ago, I headed out to Mexico to help the victims of the big earthquake in rural areas in Morelos. The experience was beyond what I anticipated. The need was bigger and my resources seemed minimal compared to what needed to get done.

As I returned to the US, I thanked everyone who helped with a small or big donation. It didn't matter the amount, it all made a difference. Unfortunately, I felt like there was more to do.

A couple of weeks later, I went back to Mexico, and couldn't help, but to drive back to the house of the single mother who I had given cash to in order to find a place to rent and live temporarily. My goal was to fund the re-build of the house, but I didn't know where to start. When I returned, she was anxiously waiting on me eager to show me something on the back of the old house that was now crumbling down. To my surprise... there it was. The vivid symbol of hope, and drive to move forward.  The single mother had started building her new "house" with the money that I had given her for rent.

"As soon as you gave me the money, I went to buy as much material as possible, and reached out to my friends to help me build it." She wasted no time. Only two weeks had gone by, and we could already see walls coming up. The new problem, more funding was needed.

Happy to see the money put to good work, I gave her another small donation. When I say small, I mean small for us living in the US, but for her, it was gold. With that money, she was able to put up at least the walls in one of the rooms.


As I returned to San Diego, I received a letter from a very special person to me from my college years. Inside the card, a check for $1,000, and an encouragement note that led me to believe that maybe I was capable of helping this single mother complete her home.


Keeping a regular communication with the single mother, she would update me on the construction of the house, and I would send her the money donated, little by little. The reason I decided to do this was for her own safety. I did not want her to be at danger with so much cash on her. People knew that she was receiving help to build her house, and I would have hated for her to be take advantage of. Once she needed more, I would send it.

Our communication became less frequent after a few weeks, so I decided to check up on her and the construction. Excited and worried, she told me that the house had been completed... but the problem was that she needed just a few minimal details to finalize it and make it better for them.

As we close the year 2017, I look back and I am amazed by the power that we all have when we unite. It took the initiative to go down to Mexico to help the victims of the earthquake, it took the bravery of those risking anything and everything to get the help to the right hands, and it took the support of those believing in the cause and in our work.

Thank you for everything. We are only about $380 (US Dol) short of completing the house. As you sit at the Christmas dinner table this year, rest be assured, that a single mother, who lost it all in a few seconds, was being able to put to bed her kids under a healthy roof. No words will ever describe how thankful they are and I will forever be!!!

WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!


GRACIAS, GRACIAS, GRACIAS


Daniela