U Magazine, Summer 1987

/

/

Dan Geiger, Al McAllister, Suzanne La Mathe, Matthew Jauregui andJenniferJacobs team up.

More of the de Lopezfamily.

12-by-15-foot windowless room her husband had built with scraps of lumber and cardboard. "When the people from the University and Esperanza said they would build me a new house I didn 't believe I deserved it," Virginia said as threatening clouds loomed over the Pacific. "So the people from the colonia decided to vote on the matter and I was selected. But I still couldn't believe Iwas worthy of th is gift, so a raffle was organized to settle the matter. When I heard that I had won , I knew this had to be the work of the Lord and I accepted." As the structure took form and the roofwas put in place, the students got acquainted with Virginia·s family and other people from the community. There was laughter and joy as everyone pitched in , some with hammer and nails , others just carrying materials and putting them in place. "One of the rea lizations I made that weekend was that there is a fundamental human relationship. It doesn 't matter ifyou have money or not, or what your background is ,·· recalls Fr. McKay, "You don ·t have to be afraid of these people because they are poor.·· The money for the 20-by-20 foot structure was raised by taking collections during the Sunday masses at Founders Chapel. About half the amount n eeded was collected dur– ing Lenten Sunday liturgies. Fr. McKay, who hopes to see USD students get involved in building a house each semester, felt the experience was invaluable. "Working on this project enabled students to get a sense that they can make a difference. It also shows that the young people h ere really care. Many have ideals about being of service, but there is a need for direction ; something to focus on .·· To Kevin Freitas, it was a way to give back some of what he has received at USD. "I don 't think students put enough back into the school. To me this was a way I could give. For the USD commun ity, the completion of the project is something of which to be proud. But for Virginia and h er family - especially the chi ldren - it's a turning point in th eirlives. •

The structure rose quickly as everyone pitched in .

11