Events in Los Tuxtlas & Catemaco

Habitat for Humanity - 60 homes in 5 days
Ranchoapan, San Andres Tuxtla, Veracruz June 5 -10, 2005

Habitat is an evangelical christian ministry with an
egalitarian mission - decent housing for everyone,
regardless of creed, race or location.

This Tuxtlas event drew at least 1500 volunteers,
most provided and imported by sponsoring
corporations, but also a smittering of altruistic local
helpers, especially albaniles (masons) , who all
had to learn a new trick or two.

Roofs are a sandwich of fiber panels over styrene
insulation; effective & cheap. Rooms are larger
than appearing from outside and include 2
bedrooms, a fair size bath. The kitchen, not visible,
includes a stove. Floor area is 60 m2/ 646 sf.

Local albañiles had to learn a new trick. On site
manufacturing of cored adobe block. Considerably
more insulative and functional than the solid
concrete blocks in common use in most of Mexico.
Habitat brought in the block presses and turned out
blocks faster than tortillas. The holes are for
passing electrical and plumbing circuits and some
rebar reinforcement where needed. The homes,
except for foundations, use no formed concrete.
I  was a very festive event, attracting thousand of onlookers, Mexico City movie stars and every politician worth half a vote,
including the helicoptering governor, the president´s wife,  (see Tuxtlas airport). and several critics.

Christianity Today - A review of Habitat for Humanity - How to Build Homes Without Putting Up Walls
Habitat for Humanity - The US home page
Hábitat para la Humanidad México - the mexican affiliate web site

Here´s a look at the other side of the building spectrum:

This is a sample of a local bottom line development. Asking $280,000 pesos, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, tile floors, a little bigger than
Habitat, and standing almost empty for more than a year. I´ve seen similar casas in Veracruz city for less than 180,000
pesos. That´s probably why the ones in San Andres are unoccupied.

The habitat homes were "sold" at 600 pesos per month for 8 years. No interest.  Roughly 60,000 pesos.

Still, more than 2/3 of tuxtlas employees earn less than 800 pesos week, which makes functional home ownership a dream
for most.