time I was not working with Esperanza but w
as familiar with the work in Tijua
na. A year later, Graciela Bueno- Esperanza’s social worker based in Tijuana joined me in a workshop with teachers in Río Grande, and it was there that the seeds of possibility for Esperanza’s growth in Oaxaca were first planted.
Two short years lat
er, I was asked to help coordinate the efforts of further developing the program in Oaxaca and I am delighted to say that Esperanza has not only been embraced by dozens of families but we now serve 5 separate communities in which are organized by their own leadership committees and community organizers who are 
committed to the mission and work of Esperanza. Each community has between 10-15 families that will begin their constructions next year.What has inspired me most about the Oaxaca people is their sense of belonging. The strong identity they carry themselves with. Beyond the hard work the families have to go through to build their homes, and all the everyday problems the group has to face during the process, the families are grateful and satisfied with their homes.
This week, ten families from Río Grande are beginning the building process and we expect to co
mplete their homes by November.We will be sure to post pictures when the homes are finished! The new staff is great team of local technicians, masons and social workers who are working side by side to make all of this happen.We now have an office based out of Puerto Escondido and look forward to our first college and high school volunteer groups this Spring. While there may not be a large posada as we find in Tijuana- you are guaranteed a rich and fulfilling experience by working side by side new families of Oaxaca.
I thank all of you who have been involved in the development of this new and exciting program and I invite you all to join us as we continue to explore the opportunities this growth brings.
Sincerely,
Carla Pataky
