3/13/2009 11:12:00 AM Fatima leaders headed to Tijuana
Our Lady of Fatima parishioner, Beth Sobba, right, and another volunteer mix cement to be used on a home the two were helping build for a needy family during last year's trip to Tijuana. Another group of Fatima volunteers are heading out this summer and are raising funds through a March 21 dinner/auction.
Tijuana, Mexico, is known for lots of things, many of them considered, cheap, debaucherous and tawdry.
But many people there are everyday people trying to make a life for themselves but just don't have the means to do it. Some of them live in rundown homes that, in Seattle, would be condemned, others have nothing at all.
That's why a group of parishioners from Our Lady of Fatima are flying down to Mexico June 28 through July 5 to build homes for those in need.
Led by Fatima pastoral assistant Casey Karbowski, the group will meet with local developers and activists from Esperanza International who will coordinate the jobs for the volunteers.
Among the volunteers is Katy Breen, a Magnolia resident and owner of Katy's Daisies, a new business in Magnolia Village.
Breen, with her daughter, Elizabeth, a high school sophomore, will take part in the effort, mixing and pouring cement for the bricks and foundation of the homes. They were both at the event last year and said it was rewarding but difficult.
"There's lots of concrete and it's pretty hard labor," she said. "We'll be actually mixing concrete and rocks to make the bricks and everything because it's more cost-effective that way."
But it's not all hard labor all the time. Relationships are made, and amazing food is eaten. Last year, a memory that is printed on Breen's brain was of watching an old woman hand-patting homemade tortillas.
The woman was to be bequeathed the home Breen and others were working on, and so to thank the volunteers, the woman made food for them. She was sitting on the ground hand-patting the tortillas in the open air with chickens strutting around. The memory makes Breen smile.
"It doesn't get more authentic than that," she said. "And you can't help but feel touched."
But why is Breen doing it? What drives her to commit herself and her daughter to such a trip? It can't be just the fresh tortillas.
"I'm doing it to help people, to help people who are less fortunate," she said. "It's very rewarding."
To pay for the trip, parishioners are hosting a fundraiser dinner/auction at Fatima, at 6:30 p.m., March 21 at the parish at 3307 W. Dravus St. The dinner, accordingly, will feature Mexican fare.
The auction will feature several donated items from businesses and individuals.
Fatima students are getting creative with it, donating items such coupons for bathroom cleaning or yard work or a batch of homemade cookies once every month for six months.
Breen, whose shop features gifts and flowers, will donate a floral arrangement. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Call 206-283-1456 for more information.
