About four years ago, I attended my first house build, and it changed my life. I joined a group that traveled into Mexico to build a house for a family without one. Each family who receives a house must apply and meet certain requirements: they must have jobs and be able to afford the land, as well as have no criminal or drug abuse history. These families are born into poverty and extreme hardship through no fault of their own.
Many of the children who receive homes through the program end up working for the nonprofit organization, helping to build houses for others. The organization also offers educational programs that help children leave the fields to pursue careers as doctors, architects, and other professions that break the cycle of generational poverty.
Even though I don't speak the same language as the Spanish-speaking families in Mexico, we share a beautiful connection through love, laughter, and hugs. The families fully participate in building their homes alongside us, radiating love and gratitude.
Last October (2024), my dad, my friend Brian, and I decided to organize a build on our own. While it was incredibly rewarding, it is also a significant undertaking. Each house requires about $15,000 in donations to cover supplies and housing for volunteers. The nonprofit operates with minimal funding to support its staff.
We recently committed to another build in 2025 which will take place October 17–19, 2025.
If you’d like to join us on this transformative experience, you can contact me directly for more details: gina@masteringmindfulness.institute
If you’d like to contribute but cannot attend, your payment will go toward a donation to support the build.