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. January 31 - First Christian Church of Fullerton built one home and outhouse. February 21 - Klemmer "Heart" volunteer day: built 5 homes and 10 outhouses, and laid 14 foundation slabs. As usual they performed with great enthusiasm. They also provided bulk food and cooking utensils for many of the poverty stricken families they were working for. A wonderful day for everyone. February 28 - Carlsbad High Noon Rotary. April 4 - Wild at Heart men's church group. May 1 - La Jolla High School Interact Club along with La Jolla Rotary members build one home. May 8 - Volunteers Chris Malek and Dennis Cramer together with Mexican workers build. May 9 - Church of the Valley and Home Church of Van Nuys build two houses. May 15 - Chula Vista Rotary build and home and provide funding for a bathroom for their family. May 16 - Board Member Vicky Kern and friends and neighbors. May 22 - Church of the Valley and Welcome Home Church both of Van Nuys build a home. June 6 - All Hallows Church of La Jolla. June 20 - Welcome to Klemmer's Heart of the Samurai. 400 volunteers will work to upgrade a school in El Trabajo,. October 3 - 10th Annual Baja Challnge- mass construction by members of San Diego County Commercial Association of Realtors (SDCCAR) and NAIOP and associates. Annual Report for 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. 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. The corporation continued to be blessed with the participation of a variety of Rotary and Church groups as well as some of our regular volunteers who lead groups year-round. We also used the skilled labor of three of our Mexican workers who have been a part of the construction process with us for several years. These men are now sufficiently experienced to build an entire house on their own in just three days. They are a great addition to our workforce. 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. 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. A Message from the President To the many Project Mercy program supporters; the clubs and churches, companies and organizations, that donated their time and money to build homes for destitute families, I send my heartfelt thanks. Your support is greatly appreciated. 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. Unfortunately the cost of lumber has gone up in 2010 and for this reason we regret having to raise the cost of one house to $3,900. For groups that would like to provide bathroom facilities the price of $4,500 remains the same for a house and a concrete block contained latrine pit, a ceramic commode and the fittings. We are asking families to build their own provisional outhouse until such time as we have additional funds to provide them with one. A complete house and latrine with the outhouse is now $4,750. Thank you