Southern Exposure Inc., is committed to raising the awareness of the plight of the people living in third world countries.  Teams consisting of 12-15 volunteers typically spend one week living and working in the Colonia of Juarez building a solid home for a local family.  Volunteers with no previous construction experience, as young as 13 (with parent permission and chaperons), and as old as 77 participate in the build while being immersed in a culture far removed from their own.

The Resident team leader for Southern Exposure, living at La Casa de Esperanza (The House of Hope) in Juarez, is on site for every home build. He serves as guide, teacher and construction manager. The leader plus additional Mexican workers are there to ensure that safety is always a priority for each build.  The construction team of volunteers provide the labor, the energy, and the enthusiasm to build the home.  The discoveries the team of volunteers will make in just a few days will last a lifetime!

At the end of the week you will be able be there to see the Mexican family take possession of their new home.  One single mother with six children cried when the team gave her the keys to her home.  She said she had a "prize" house because Americans built it.  Also, with the help of local guides,volunteers will discover what it is like to live in a different culture and in a different world.

Your Stay in Juarez --  La Casa de Esperanza (The House of Hope) Southern Exposure operates a complex in the Colonia where the homes are built.  The main house, Casitas and kitchen houses up to 30 people in dormitory accommodations in a swamp cooled home in Juarez. In addition to raising the money to build the home, Southern Exposure asks for a donation of $135 per team member for a typical 5-7 day stay which includes:

• All meals
• Sleeping accommodations
• Bathrooms & Showers (a luxury)
• One time laundry service during the team's stay
• Transportation

The Reward of Learning about a Different Culture God calls each of us to share our gifts.  One of our most precious possessions is the gift of our presence to others.  Meet new friends while on the border.  Learn how they live and experience their challenges for yourself while you make use of your time and talents to improve the lives of others. With the help of local guides, volunteer team members will discover what it is like to live in a different culture and in a different world. Each day, your guide will lead you through the day's activities and conclude with in-depth faith building discussions.  Learn about yourself and other members of your immersion community as you experience first hand, the challenges of everyday life in Mexico. Activities include:

• Visits with health-care workers
• Touring schools and meeting local children
• Hearing about border and immigration issues
• Touring cultural sites
• Playing soccer and having fun with the locals
• Shopping in the local area

It is an experience of a lifetime!