2010 Construction Schedule Project Mercy volunteers meet at the Otay Mesa Border McDonald's at 7:00am on the day of construction, unless otherwise stated. Take the 805 south to the 905 east, take the 905 east and then south (same road) past Airway Road. Immediately after passing the traffic lights there is a sign on the right for Siempre Viva Road exit. Exit to the right and take the left lane: the Siempre Viva Road East fork in the road. This will take you under the bridge and around back over it to McDonald's. Note that you cannot leave your car at McDonald's: either carpool from your destination, drive your car into Mexico or arrive early to find parking elsewhere. March 6 - Carlsbad High Noon rotary led by Al Wanamaker and Mike Meziere March 27 - Wild at Heart men's team from La Jolla Community Church April 17 - University Christian Church led by Brian Highland April 17 - Klemmer and Associates Heart of the Samurai participants volunteer to come to Mexico and build multiple homes as well as provide entertainment for local children and basic supplies for needy families June 5 - All Hallows Church of La Jolla builds two homes TBA - 11th Annual Baja Challenge ANNUAL REPORT 2009 The year 2009 was one of unprecedented challenges for Project Mercy. A series of events that touched both the U.S.A. and Mexico created difficulties we have never encountered before. As a result of the recession individuals were unable to donate as much as they had in previous years. The police crack-down on drug cartel activities produced many media stories of violence and danger in Mexico. In fact Paula Claussen, President and Executive Director, and Milton Costello, Director, have continued to travel to the eastern edge of Tijuana regularly every week for the entire year of 2009 and have never encountered problems or seen any violence. However the third axe to fall, the swine flu, on top of the other two aforementioned problems, truly curtailed group trips, and caused many of them to back away from travelling to Mexico. It should be mentioned that although there were no H1N1 cases this corporation is aware of in Tijuana, the fear alone was devastating to our activities. I am, however, very proud to report that in spite of these huge problems Project Mercy managed to build 40 homes for families in great need, make several home improvements (such as roof repairs), and build a variety of outhouses in 2009. We built 12 complete outhouses and then, because of the tight financial situation, decided to modify our plans and offer materials for enclosed and sanitary latrine septic pits and slabs, on top of which families are building their own provisional wooden outhouses. In addition to a variety of wonderful and much valued Church and Rotary groups, the corporation was blessed with the participation of the 10th Annual Baja Challenge, and the wonderful Heart of the Samurai participants from Klemmer and Associates. The Baja Challenge event in October was again a great success. Volunteers from 19 different corporations such as developers, construction companies, and architects in the southern California region, banded together to raise the funds to build 15 homes in one day. Everyone had a wonderful time working together, getting to know the families they were building for and transforming a dirt hill into a small neighborhood. Klemmer and Associate volunteers from their Heart of the Samurai seminars, once again proved themselves to be a priceless group of open hearted, talented and enthusiastic people who always perform miracle tasks with Project Mercy to help the Mexican communities where we work. In February the group built six homes, 15 outhouses and laid ten foundation slabs for the Project. Because of all the above mentioned concerns with travelling to Mexico, for their June and October events Klemmer & Associates decided to help the Mexican neighborhoods from a San Diego location. In June Clairmont Covenant Church, and in October La Jolla Community Church, generously allowed Project Mercy to use their parking lots for construction and activities for Heart volunteers. In June they built wall units for 8 houses and in October wall and loft units for 6 houses, which were then transported to Mexico for local Mexican Project Mercy workers to construct houses. This method also enabled groups willing and wanting to build in Mexico, but faced with financial difficulties themselves, to build at a lower cost since part of the building was already constructed. Although we do not know what will occur in 2010, we are working hard to make the most of every opportunity to continue to help neighborhoods in desperate need in Mexico and to also ensure that our wonderful volunteers from all walks of life feel safe and secure in continuing to work with us in the Project Mercy program. Paula Claussen President & CEO Skilled labor is still much in need to assist some of the Rotary Clubs, please call or email us if you are free. The prices for 2010 remain the same as for the past two years, $3.750 for a complete house and $4,500 for a house with latrine.