Letter from Thomas Foose
April 20, 2009
The directions simply read "Note the yellow buildings. Congratulations, you've reached Esperanza" so we really weren't sure what to expect on our first trip. What they didn't say was that Esperanza is a mini-oasis with a setting that encourages gathering to chat and relax when you aren't busy at work building houses for very grateful families. The large kitchen, community room, and outside fountain all became instant gathering places for conversation and the people in the surrounding town were very friendly and open.
The next morning we went in a caravan to the house we would be working on and met with the family who was so incredibly gracious and thankful, even before we had started working. The work was hard, but fun at the same time as we all came together as a team, volunteers and family members all participating to pour buckets of cement into the foundation of a new house. After we wrapped up for the day the family said goodbye to us (we would be working at a different site on Sunday) and they seemed so grateful that I felt embarrassed by what I thought was so little but I realize it meant so much for them to start the process towards having a new stronger home for this young family to settle in to.
Esperanza is making such an impact in these communities, supporting these families and giving them a feeling of self-sufficiency. It is such a noble cause and I was humbled by the fact that a weekend of my time could have such an impact and help to get two families one step closer to having a safe place to call their home. Now I see why some members of my group have been doing this for years.
Thomas Foose
Neighborhood UUC
Pasadena, CA.
April 17 to 19, 2009