Students Build Houses in Mexico For Families in Need

A team of eighteen students from Grace Academy Solihull has transformed the lives of two Mexican families in need, by building houses for them from scratch, with only hand tools, in only eleven days.

The Solihull students joined students from five UK Secondary Schools, including Grace Academies in Coventry and Darlaston, to build two houses next door to each other, keeping two families together from the Los Llanos community in Tijuana.

Both families were living in poor conditions without electricity, running clean water, access to propane gas, a refrigerator, a car or telephone.  The new houses are 11 feet by 22 feet with a concrete foundation and stucco-finished exterior.

The students each raised £1,495 themselves to fund the trip and, talking about the experience, Solihull student Courtney Cassells said:

“I was not very confident and didn’t have many friends but now I have gained so much confidence and friendships.  I am more determined that ever to achieve what I need to.”

Dave Boden, Assistant Principal for Ethos and Student Life, Grace Academy, said:

“Build Hope is an incredible opportunity for young people to travel overseas and actively engage in making a positive difference as they work to transform a Mexican community.  The students spend two weeks building a house that changes a family’s life forever.  Through this act of generosity, the young people not only experience a new culture, but discover new depths to their own character, as well as gain a fresh perspective on life.”