CLIFTON — Speaking at the Bosque County (Clifton) Rotary Club meeting on Thursday, Oct. 29, Jo Atkinson talked about her experiences working with the Grace of Giving group building homes in Mexico.

The group is supported by many churches and organizations and not only helps by building homes, but also delivers approximately 20,000 pounds of food every month to the needy of Mexico.

“We managed to build three houses this year,” said Atkinson, noting that, so far, the group has built about 100 homes close to the border of Texas.

Talking about one family that received a new home this year, Atkinson said that the shelter the family was living in only allowed room for the children to sleep under the shelter. The mother slept outside the shelter under a truck camper top.

She went on to say that there is no running water for these shelters, only a hose with which to wash off.  Families that live in the area must buy potable water for drinking or cooking. When a house is built, an outhouse is also built alongside it.

Even the new homes don’t have electricity, as the expense is too high for families that make so little money a year. 

“Electricity is often not even available, but when it is, it costs about $300 per pole, and these families can’t afford that,” said Atkinson.

“This area is a sagebrush prairie, with a few mesquite trees and lots of cactus,” said Atkinson. “But the people are humble, gracious, and loving. We were even brought food from these families that can barely feed themselves.”

She noted that all the work is done by volunteers and materials are provided by donation.

“When we are finished with a house, the women get the key and the deed to the home, because often, the men don’t stay around,” Atkinson added.

After mentioning some of the families that have been helped, she added, “We are the ones that are blessed by the work we do. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that we have helped.”