Our pilgrimage through the community on Day 2 and Day 3 of our trip included walking through the housing project and visiting housing beneficiaries.
48 cinder block homes were built thanks to partnerships with Cross Catholic, St. John LaLande, and the West Family. Families moved from areas in the hills and mountains with no access to water and services. To make it down the hills and mountains, they typically walk, take a small boat across a lagoon, and a few come down by horse. The journey to get water can take an hour plus each way.
Many in Las Mangas work in the adjacent rice field shown here.
Each home has a water faucet outside like this one. One home we visited had run extra piping off their main faucet to give them two locations for water. Notice the wash area behind the blue barrel. They are able to wash clothes and dishes. They also gather water for cooking. They are very thankful to have a home made of cinder block with locking doors, metal roof, and a concrete floor.
Both of the pictures above are of homemade stoves. Each family makes their own stove; and they install it in an outdoor kitchen that they build. Kitchens are located outside the main house to prevent respiratory illness caused by smoke inhalation from the stoves.
Families use this as one step in the process of making homemade tortillas. Grinding the corn and preparing it to be used for making tortillas is a laborious task and one that keeps arm muscles strong.
Families grow many types of fruits and vegetables to provide for their families. Gardens are plentiful and beautiful. The families in Las Mangas are our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. We are all children of our Lord; and they are so thankful we came to visit. They requested that we let others at St. John LaLande know they are praying for us; and they wish us blessings.
Peace, love, and blessings to all, Kate Ellis
