Ladrillo Project

Ladrillo is the name for brick in Spanish. What we do is help build brick houses in Mexico for others who are surviving in structures made of pallets, cardboard and corrugated metal.

Starting in the year 2000, Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church began assisting in building shelters in Agua Prieta, Mexico. Teaming up with Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Douglas the SELC crew assisted in the construction of a halfway house for men on their was back into society in Agua Prieta.

Taking the construction knowledge they gained in 2000, SELC agreed in 2001 to fund and construct a house on their own. The challenge for 2001 was that the existing dwelling the family was living in had to be moved due to the fact that their new house was going to be where the current structure was. After a weekend of disassembling the existing dwelling and and rebuilding it, half the size it was, the new footing could be dug and poured the following week. Once the new home was completed, the family could move from a house made up of pallets and cardboard to a house constructed of bricks, wood and metal.

In 2002 another home was constructed in the same area, with more SELC members contributing their time and talents.

With good weather and the SELC crew gaining construction experience, two homes were completed in 2003, 2004 and again in 2007. The second house each year was only possible though generous donations of funds from SELC friends and members.

The second home in 2004 was finished just in time for the expecting mother to have a new home to move into after the birth of her child.

If you have a talent for baking, making quilts, sharing you time with the local children, a willing attitude to learn how to use a trowel, hammer or shovel, we can use you help to build another house this year.

If you think you can help in any way, why not be a part of the team for this year and make a difference for at least one more family.