New Homes, Community Rebirth
In 2024 Foundation for Peace began a new initiative in El Batey. As always, our projects are community-led and the community voiced the need for safe housing for vulnerable families. The community committee evaluated residents’ homes and set the priorities. Our teams brought in the funds and helped work along-side community volunteers. Given that the needs were great, we agreed that FFP would provide funds for the basic building materials. The families would provide the labor and funds for the finishing touches.
These projects brought the community together and there were additional unexpected blessings. The older men in the community took the time to teach the young men and boys valuable skills as they worked together on the homes. Two of these young men have now found jobs laying block.
Two more families saw how much they could accomplish working together with limited resources and they built a little store together.
Three of the young men who were part of the barbershop class that graduated from the FFP vocational school in the community got together and built a little barbershop of their own. They decided that their space was big enough and added on a little store for a young woman in the community to sell homemade ice cream too!
Because the families are coming up with part of the funds, the progress on each individual house has been slow at times. As families have achieved the next goal in the process, it has been a community celebration!
The photos show the work on a home for Morena and her family. They had gathered the sand and purchased the last few bags of cement needed to pour her floors. Over 50 people from the community came together to help do the work. Others donated food supplies to cook for the workers. The church came and held their service next to the construction so as we worked together, we worshiped and praised God for the blessings happening in the community.
The FFP ministry is year-round, and our communities and our staff are constantly working to help dreams come true. Join us in moving these projects forward. Needs arise every day.
When you choose to give with the designation of “Where Needed Most” you allow us to say yes to helping in the ways communities bring forward!
Even when you can’t be here with us physically, you can count on us to continue to work as you would!