In February of this year a group of local volunteers made a 10 day trip to Las Lajas, El Salvador to build houses with Homes for Hope.
‘Homes for Hope’ is a non-profit, non denominational organization dedicated to improving the lives of families in El Salvador.
Wallaceburg’s Mike deBakker, who is the newest addition to the Homes for Hope board, and his wife Dorothy deBakker are two of the 12 volunteers who participated from Holy Redeemer Church in Wallaceburg along with two leaders from Stratford, Ontario.
Through the support of volunteers and donations from local Canadians, ‘Homes for Hope’ provides safe and secure housing, by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Their mission is to provide hope while improving the quality of life and providing lasting economic change for families and the community.
Dorothy deBakker told Sydenham Current that Homes for Hope saw how much Wallaceburg raises for the El Salvador trips each year and they wanted to get the community on board.
While on their trip the group built 10 houses, Dorothy said.
“They were very, very grateful,” she said.
“When we saw what they were living in and then we saw what they came out with. It was very very rewarding.”
The group of volunteers built two houses per day and on one day they built three.
They were down there 10 days total and since they had them done in five days, the group was able to have a few days to be able to meet more people and see the beauty of the country.
Along with building the homes the group also brought along donations that included: clothing, school supplies, shoes and toiletries. In total over 1,200 lbs. of items in 25 big suitcases were donated.
“When the key is presented to the deserving family, a suitcase is also given that is specific to their needs,” Dorothy said.
To take part in a trip for ‘Homes for Hope’ the cost is $2,500 per person.
A house costs about $2,400 Canadian to build, but the trip cost is approximately $700 plus food.
There is extra funding needed to make up for the rest of the trip, which Holy Redeemer does throughout the year including an annual Christmas CD, Dorothy said.
“100% of your dollars go to the project,” Mike added.
“Sometimes people want to assist by donating a house or donating $100. ‘Homes for Hope’ will gladly take that and there are tax receipts available.”
This is not the first year the deBakker family has taken part in this project.
Last year Mike and his son Josiah were part of a group along with Father Chris Gillespie of Holy Redeemer Church.
As for 2019 project dates, there are no free spaces to fill.
“There are no spaces to take more people until 2020,” Mike said.
“There are three teams going next year, 10 days each. They are going to make 12 houses instead of 10. So there will be 36 houses built in 2019.”
Dorothy added: “It was awesome to be part of that and a privilege to do that for them. You come home with a new sense of gratitude.”
Another trip will be planned in 2020 for those wanting to participate.
For more information about ‘Homes for Hope’ visit their website at http://www.4elsalvador.org/.
Here are some submitted photos from the deBakker’s trip:
