Building Habitat Homes in Pahaucan, Mexico

Shirley Seyfried, National Habitat Chairperson

Two teams consisting of Catholic Daughters, family, and friends each spent a week in Mexico during Lent helping to build the Habitat homes sponsored by the Catholic Daughters. Having had the opportunity to build four homes in the United States in 2007 with the assistance of four grants, it was decided to help our sisters and brothers across the border by building Habitat homes there in 2008. The experience was one which none of us will ever forget.

The first team of 12 members left February 22^nd and returned March 1^st. That team was lead by Lois Nelson (National Director from MN). Also going on that trip was Nancy Bambanek (MN First Vice State Regent), Ellen Huneke (MN Second Vice State Regent) and Ellen’s sister, Char vonKnobelsdorff-Brenkendoff, as well as an ecumenical group of eight from Gull Lake, MI.

The second team of 18 people left March 15^th and returned March 23^rd after spending Holy week building Habitat houses and attending the Dedication ceremony of the homes. Leading the group was Shirley Seyfried, National Secretary-Treasurer and Catholic Daughters National Habitat for Humanity Project chair. Other members of the team included Claudia (National Regent) and Jim Bosch from North Dakota. From Minnesota were Dave Seyfried, Daniel Seyfried (Co-team leader), Kathy (MN State Regent) and Fred Kennedy, Margee (MN State Treasurer) and Walt Keller, Tina Quinones, Louise (Court St. Joan of Arc in Marshall Regent) and Bob Van Leuwee, and Lindsay Jenson, Volunteer Coordinator for Fergus Falls, MN, Area Habitat for Humanity. Members from Texas included Libby Ramirez (National Regent Elect), Duchess Collins (National Director), Carolyn Bachmann (TX State Regent), Carolyn Malik (TX State Second Vice Regent) and Eve Trevino (TX State Treasurer).

The homes were 23 feet by 23 feet and were built of red ceramic bricks. There were two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a living room/kitchen/dining room. For these families, it will be the first time they have had an indoor bathroom. The floors and roofs were made of concrete. The work of building the homes was very difficult and exhausting at times but the appreciation expressed by the families for all of our work made it all worthwhile. We helped with shoveling sand, gravel, and cement to mix the concrete, hauling the concrete to the roof or the floor in five gallon buckets, laying brick for the walls, scrubbing the mortar off the bricks after they were all dried, and installing bathroom fixtures, among other things. Many of us could not communicate with the families except through our Spanish speaking members of the team as the families did not speak English. We ate all of our meals at Senora Bertha’s home. She and her daughter as well as several helpers cooked for all the Lenten builders the entire seven weeks and her meals were excellent. Learning to eat foods like cactus, shrimp soup, and drink different kinds of juices from watermelon to cantaloupe and many others, was all part of experiencing the culture of Mexico.

At the end of the week for the first group, a fiesta was held, and at the end of Holy week, the homes were dedicated followed by a wonderful meal. Everyone celebrated the homes that were built and the friendships that were made with our sisters and brothers in Christ in Mexico. Thank you to all the Catholic Daughters for your wonderful support of this build through your prayers and donations. (See complete article in the summer 2008 issue of Share.)

National Contingent at Dedication
From left to right: National Regent Elect Libby Ramirez, National Regent Claudia Bosch, National Secretary-Treasurer Shirley Seyfried, and National Director Duchess Collins

Build Team March 15^th - March 23^rd

Build Team February 22^nd - March 1^st