Members of the trip traveled an hour by car and then hiked one hour through hilly terrain to reach a community where nine homes were being dedicated. These homes were built with funds donated in part by Esperança.

For $700, Nicaraguan families received a new structure with stucco walls, wood beams and a metal roof.

When we reached the community, we realized they'd been preparing for our arrival for many days. They'd taken painstaking time and effort to prepare their children and yards for our arrival. More than 70 people would be housed in the new sustainable structures because of Esperança. Each were in attendance to greet and thank their visitors, including a meal of warm soup prepared by one of the women...

Every place we journeyed, people came out to greet us in their best clothes and expressed their thanks. The event that touched me the most had to be the ceremony with the nine families with new homes. The time and effort spent decorating the yard with signs, floral arrangements, and balloons impressed me as well as the speeches. Raul did a tremendous job translating the speeches, and the woman who read the poem that she had written was exceptionally moving.  Even though I do not understand Spanish, I could understand the sentiment and appreciation that she was trying to convey in her words. And of course, the meal the women prepared and served was the best meal we had in Nicaragua.  It was an intoxicating event and will draw me back one day...

Esperança has been helping families build new homes for many years. In Nicaragua, this is especially important because of the weather. Jinotega has a 6-month rainy season. Without our efforts, these 70 people would be living in wet homes and would be more subject to infection. To read more about Esperança's homebuilding efforts in Nicaragua and to view photos of these newly built homes. Housing Improvement donate page.

Tomorrow: Keith Galbut, an Esperança board member, describes his delight in visiting a community that received running water…a well made possible through your donations. Go to Day 4