Fionnuala Heidenreich

Hi everyone,
I decided that the best format to update you on how the trip went is directly. So hopefully you have received an email by now with images and summary attached!

Image 2 of the latest update about the family we will be helping in Chiapas in July
Some words from Mariano de la Cruz - the patriarch of the
De la Cruz López family

Hi Everyone,
An update for you-
I've just received information about the family we will be helping in Chiapas in July and also about the house we are going to be helping to build. I wanted to share this with you.
The De la Cruz López family live in a small indigenous community called Belisario Domínguez. The 1527 inhabitants of this community mostly work as carpenters, shepherds, and farmers of corn, beans, and squash. Everyone speaksTzotzil, many but not all speak Spanish.

Thanks again for showing your support and for being a part of achieving the fundraising goal of $2000US.
Stay tuned!

Final weeks of fundraising for this project!
This week I pulled in previously unchallenged baking skills and more comfortable poster-making skills to raise awareness for the project. Apart from hoping that my mini cupcakes were edible enough and also provided a nice sugar hit for those suffering from late Monday afternoon working day fatigue, people were interested in talking about this part of Mexico, what the project will be achieving for people and what I will be doing with Habitat for Humanity on this project.
Thank you for those who were kind and generous to make a contribution. I appreciate it.
And also thank you to those who also shared their experience of this region.

Here is some more information about Chiapas and the people that Habitat for Humanity help in this area:

1. Mexico has the 11th-13th richest economy in the world and ranks 4th with most number of poor among richest economies
2. Chiapas is the poorest state in Mexico with approx. 75% of its population living under the poverty line. The state has about 13.5% of all of Mexico's indigenous population and the city of San Juan Chamula is considered to be a center of indigenous culture.
3. Most of Chiapa's indigenous population are descended from the Mayans. The famous ruins of Palenque, once a Mayan Ceremonial center lays close by.
4. There has been a history of inter-religious and inter-indigenous conflict that has led to the displacement of communities since the 70's. The Zapatistas are also active in this area- seeking to keep control over their local resources, especially their land.
5. Those families that Habitat for Humanity have helped in Chiapas have incomes that are too low to afford to build a home and additionally do not qualify for a bank loan offering up to 40% interest rates. Private lenders would charge more. Homeowners who earn less than $1300/month qualify for H4H assistance at an interest rate of 7% with repayments over 15-20 years.
6. H4H volunteers work side-by-side with the Homeowners and local tradesmen to build their home.

FIONNUALA'S BUILDING A HOME FOR A FAMILY IN CHIAPAS PROJECT FUNDRAISING UPDATE:

As part of my 'thank you' to you for your support, I will send pictures taken during the project so that you can see not only the progress of the build but also see the people that it will impact.
If you donate $35 or more, I will also be including one of the postcard hand drawings I will be making during my time in Chiapas.
For $70 or more, I will be sending you a watercolour painting made about the experience in Chiapas.
This is a chance to share what I experience with you so that you can also see how your contribution will be helping someone who needs support.

Thank you to those who have helped me to hit 10% of my goal.
Please feel free to share this campaign with anyone who might be interested in supporting this work - to provide a home for low-income families, so that we can keep working towards achieving the goal!