Housing and Roof Problems
There are many families in San Pedro Itzicán and the surrounding villages, living in very basic conditions. Just a tarp roof, dirt floors and no glass in windows. Children, youth and adults all sharing the sleeping area. No washroom, or running water. Cooking is usually done inside or under temporary roofing.
During May 2021, when the winds started, (pre-rainy season winds), Anita heard that there were 11 homes where the roofs were falling apart (just tarp roofs), so the women couldn't cook meals for their family as there was no shelter. That included the Kids Kitchen at the Community Center, where the food for over 310 children was being prepared, and served. So again, a plea for help, and we are so grateful for people coming forward to help pay for new roofing (laminate roof panels) and metal supports to be installed as roofing.
Here you can see a couple of the houses that have problems...
This is the laminate roofing being installed to help cover the dining area of the Kids Kitchen where the children come to eat a meal, 5 days a week. At least they can stay dry now...
One day we will move to a new piece of land that we have purchased. Once its leveled and fenced, this roofing will be moved and properly installed there and eventually the kitchen will move as well.
We ordered the laminate panels in bulk to get a better price, but the price ended up being more than we had anticipated because we have to get facturas (tax receipts to prove IVA (sales tax) was paid). It's a problem all Mexican charities have... so the total cost was over 60,000 pesos. Thanks to the wonderful donors who supported us with this project!
One local charity (in Ajijic) - Lissa's Legacy - has already been helping with housing problems in San Pedro Itzicán. But there are just so many families in need! They work with Anita Torres because she knows the problems faced by the most vulnerable families. Lissa's Legacy has already rebuilt some walls of houses that were falling down.