Lulu and Ray live in the Colalispa settlement in Mexico. Together with TECHO, they were able to build a new home that provides them with a safe space, leaving behind the feeling of always being on the run from their own home.
A year ago, they decided to move to this neighborhood after facing conflicts in the region where they had previously lived. Since then, they have struggled to adapt due to the precarious conditions of the home they built with their own hands. The walls, made of brittle wood, let water in every time it rains, and the techo provide adequate protection. In this new area, the cold and winds are more intense—something they had never experienced before—which makes the situation even worse since they do not have a proper home to shelter them.
Furthermore, they lack access to basic services such as running water or sewage, since the settlement is far from the city center. This distance particularly affects Ray, who works at whatever jobs he can find, whether it’s gardening, masonry, or breaking rocks. His days begin at 4 a.m., when he leaves home, and end at 11 p.m. when he returns, often in the rain. Despite his exhausting workday, when he gets home he has to dry off whatever got wet or rearrange his bed to avoid getting wet while he sleeps.
For her part, Lulu began getting involved in community activities as soon as she arrived in the neighborhood. It was through a neighbor that she learned about TECHO. Intrigued by the organization’s work in the neighborhood, she attended as many meetings as she could, even when her job made it difficult. After that first meeting, she told Ray about TECHO mentioned that she had signed up for a survey process. Ray, skeptical, replied, “Who’s going to give you a house? You’re dreaming.”
Lulu says that, at first, she had her doubts about TECHO work: “I really thought it wasn’t true (…) I started to believe it when several young people came to conduct the survey and measure the land.”
Everything changed one Saturday morning, when a group of volunteers arrived at their property. Together with them and some neighbors who came to help, they began building their new home. By Sunday afternoon, the house was already finished. Lulu and Ray remember those two days as an unforgettable experience, filled with conversation, dancing, and shared laughter.
“The volunteers are such wonderful people, so kind (…) I hope they can continue to help more people who really need a home too,” says Lulu. Of all the moments she experienced, one that especially touched Lulu was the ceremony for the last pile: “Everyone shared their positive energy and good wishes; they really won me over with such beautiful gestures.”
Reflecting on her experience, Lulu says: “I hope this will help more people who really need it. The people who come to live in these communities do so out of necessity—great necessity.” She concludes with a message of gratitude: “From the bottom of my heart, I thank all the people who help and support us—please keep supporting us; it really does make a difference (…) the doors to my home will always be open to you.”
The story of Lulu and Ray is a reminder that, by working together, we can transform lives. Building their home left a lasting impression not only on their hearts, but also on the volunteers who made this change possible.