Tough decision but inspiring new goal

Friends,

Due to your generous contributions, we have a new opportunity at hand to help families that normally even Habitat cannot help.

Here's the situation: Habitat works on a virtual cycle with a rotating fund, which means that Habitat builds houses, families pay a minimum monthly mortgage (at least $35 in Bolivia) with no interest, the funds from those payments are used to support the construction for new houses. Because of this cycle, Habitat has rules about which families they can partner with; the families must have the ability to pay their monthly mortage so Habitat can continue to grow and have impact.

Here's our opportunity: The past few days I learned that over 200 families have approached Habitat in Tarija alone in the past few months. Habitat has had to turn them away because they can't meet the minimum payments. Because of your generous donations we aren't reliant on the rotating fund to build our homes so  Habitat has agreed to let me substantially subsidize houses so we can select families that can't afford to pay even $35 a month.

So here's what I am doing: I am essentially swapping projects with Habitat. They will continue to build the homes we started in Villamontes, and will take on all the costs of the homes there as part of their annual goals, because those families can pay the $35.  I (with your support!) am starting from scratch on a project to work with families that are so far below the poverty line, even for Bolivia, that they couldn't have a home under any condition without your amazing support!

It's a little daunting, but I have never been more inspired. 

Next steps: This means I am in Turbo Mode! I am moving back to Tarija tonight, and we start visiting families and selecting them this week. The team here is so excited about getting to select families that have been dreaming of having a home, but couldn´t afford even minimum payments. The toughest step will be going from over 200 families that have expressed their need, to 50 that we will visit, to 15 that we will select.

We have just over 3 months to select families, buy land, get all the legal requirements ironed out, and build the homes. We can do it, but it is a little crazy! My natural reaction is to align on dates, milestones, and ownership with the Habitat team who will be helping me. This is what I did today, in case any of you read Spanish and are interested, you can click on the image to see the plan.

It was a tough decision; I am already attached to the families we are working with in Villamontes, and have settled into the village. But it is the right thing to do in terms of having impact down here. 

Thank you for your support and for enabling me to help families that have no other options. I look forward to taking you with me on the journey these next weeks as we visit families, buy land, and start the construction process!

Saludos de Tarija, naomi

Comments

[Kim Chen]

Hi Naomi!

So great to read about your project and sounds like you are having a great time! I was in Bolivia for a while two years ago and my suggestion for escaping civil strikes is to hitch a ride on the first car/truck/bus that comes by. We escaped a month-long strike by hitching on a 50 year old school bus packed with sheep and beer (both very important)and a dirt truck. And everything is negotiable as I'm sure you've learned. Anyways, enjoy and it's so great to see that you're doing something very tangible and impactful!

[Albert]

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[Dan]

Just wanted to say helloe

[Albert]

These prayers help me to keep God in my life, especially with the many distractions I encounter.a

[Rosina]

bsite and I found it very interesting.Thank

[Dan]

Very interesting website. Keep up the outstanding work and thank you...

[Vince]

Excellent site - do keep up the good work.t