Catalina Velazco Flores lives in Melaque, Jalisco, a coastal agricultural town near the port of Manzanillo. She shares a single bedroom, a kitchen and bathroom with her three children. Her cramped dwelling costs her $50 per month.

Catalina’s son had a horrible lung infection which she could not afford to have treated. One day, a doctor was walking through town when he overheard Catalina’s son coughing. He stopped them and insisted on treating the child.

We met Catalina while this doctor was treating her son. As we spoke to her, we learned that she is working 2 shifts in a bakery, only earning $50 per week. Because she can not afford child care, she is forced to bring her children to the bakery as she works.

We have been giving her rent money since January 2006. We would also like to raise money to purchase a lot for her. We found some available land in Jaluco, a town nearby, for $4000. The owner has agreed to take 30% up front and monthly payments thereafter.