The Smucker and Berg Families Dedicate Spring Months to Volunteering with Proyecto Azteca
With wide eyes and big grins Mr. and Mrs. Conejo walked up to what will soon be their new home which is currently under construction at Proyecto Azteca. “¡Que bonita!” exclaimed Mrs. Cornejo, “Si, y bien grande” shared her husband; as the Cornejos walk inside their home, it is with great pride that they inspect the work the Smucker family of Pennsylvania and the Berg family of Iowa have completed with the aid of Proyecto Azteca’s construction staff.
Proyecto Azteca is a non-partisan, non-profit self-help construction company located in San Juan, Texas that serves low-income families in Hidalgo County colonias and rural areas. In the first year, Proyecto Azteca organized self-help construction with just 4 families. Today, Proyecto Azteca is a nationally recognized, community-directed, self-help housing organization that has financed and trained more than 700 families in the construction and first time ownership of their own homes in over 160 colonias and rural areas.
Proyecto Azteca funds the construction of its homes with the local, state and federal grants and the support of private funders; familiesreceive a 0% interest 30 to 40-year mortgage and monthly payments include property taxes and home insurance.
The only “down payment” families need to provide is 550 sweat equity hours in the construction of their home. As an equal opportunity housing organization, Proyecto Azteca helps their elderly and disabled families who cannot meet the sweat equity requirement by banking all of its volunteer hours and pulling from those to complete the qualification process.
Volunteers like the Smucker and Berg families bring their enthusiasm and helping hands to Proyecto Azteca every spring. Jerald Smucker, his six children and 18 grandchildren and even some friends volunteer to build homes during the entire month of February. Mr. Smucker’s mother even hand makes quilts for some Proyecto Azteca families as a housewarming gift. The Smuckers have said they consider their time at Proyecto Azteca as their annual vacation. “My family has been so blessed, we are grateful and love the opportunity to come help those who need it” said Jerald Smucker as he adjusts his tool belt and looks at the home he has help build.
Roger and Carol Berg are proud Iowans who spend a large part of the spring months building homes; last year, Carol and Roger organized Proyecto Azteca’s Little Lending Project and brought the Alamo Rose Woodworkers, Thrivient Financial, the Hidalgo County Literacy Coalition and the Pharr library together to build, decorate and fill 10 Little Lending Libraries for Hidalgo County Colonias. This year, the Bergs continue their amazing work and provide a great deal of enthusiasm and creativity completing projects and constructing homes. “We are here to help you, just tell me what you all need and we’ll do it! I love this work!” said Roger Berg as he climbs up a ladder to finish shingling the Cornejo family’s roof.
Hugs, smiles, conversation and a deep sense of appreciation were shared over a Thank You luncheon and meet and greet for the Bergs, Smuckers and Cornejo families. Although the families do not speak the same language, there was no denying a strong bond formed between the families.
