The San Diego-based International Relief Teams will leave for Tijuana, Mexico, Saturday to build a home for an impoverished family living in a makeshift shelter in an informal settlement area.
IRT volunteers are traveling to Colonia Fuentes del Valle with members of Project Mercy to assist the family. Approximately 150 families from central Mexico currently live in the community due to high living costs and low wages, according to IRT founder and Executive Director Barry La Forgia.
“Life is very challenging for these poor families,” La Forgia said. “IRT is dedicated to improving the quality of life for our neighbors in Tijuana and we are proud to give this family a safe place to raise their children.”
Volunteers plan to build a 16-by-20 shelter with an outhouse for the family, whose current shelter leaks water and lacks a floor. The family has never owned a home before, according to the organization.
IRT has worked with Colonira Fuentes del Valle since 2016 to build homes for poor families in the community. To date, more than 500 volunteers with the organization have built homes for 23 families.
–City News Service