What Does It Cost?
Each volunteer must pay tuition of $65 (adults), $55 (under 14 yrs.). Tuition covers the cost of most of your food, accommodations, car insurance and a cool t-shirt. In addition, each team must raise the money to pay for materials for their home ($5,700.). This breaks down into approximately $300 per person. Learn more by seeing "Fundraising" below.

If you are participating through a church or organization OTHER than Canyon Hills, please see your team leader for tuition cost details.

Who and When Do I Pay?
For both tuition and fundraising, make all checks payable to Canyon Hills Church. Please make sure to note "Project Mexico" in the memo, and your team number (if you know it). Tuition is due upon signing up (you're not considered "signed up" until you pay).

As for fundraising, we must raise all monies before the trip. This means that the first half of your fundraising is due 4weeks before the trip, and the balance is due 2weeks before the trip.

If you are part of another church or organization OTHER than Canyon Hills, please see your team leader regarding details on who checks are made out to, when you pay, etc.

Fundraising
Each team must raise the money needed to pay for materials for their home ($5,700). This breaks down to about $300 per volunteer. If you've never raised money for something like this before, don't sweat it. It's a piece of cake. We've got materials to help you raise funds (download the Sponsor Form & Brochure, PDF 1.5 MB), and email is a great way to get the word out! Once you get the word out, you'll usually find that friends, family, neighbors and co-workers will get behind your effort, and sponsor you willingly! Make sure and see 'Who and When Do I Pay?' for details.

[sidebar...] fundraising by email:
One very effective way to get the word out quickly to the maximum number of people, is through email. We have a sample email that you can use. It tells the story of what Project Mexico is, and how people can help through sponsoring you.

Download Sample Email [here] (MS Word document)

A few more email tips:
Make sure your Subject Line is descriptive, grabs attention, and has your name. This personalizes the email, and may help grab attention, especially for those who receive a ton of emails. And, make sure your email is short and to the point. Make sure it's clear how people can respond (who to make the check out to, where to send it, and when). And, any time you can include photos is good. Not too many or too large, but enough to give them an idea of what we do in Mexico.

Who's Involved?
Project Mexico is a ministry of Canyon Hills, and is volunteer led and staffed. Canyon Hills works with Baja Christian Ministries (BCM), a non-profit organization that helps facilitate groups like ours in building homes in Mexico. BCM helps us with selection of families, acquisition of materials (nearly everything is purchased in Mexico, to support the local economy), and with on-site construction needs.

Canyon Hills often teams-up with other churches and organizations, collectively making an even larger impact in the lives of impoverished families in Mexico. These have included other churches, businesses and relief organizations.

Each team is led by 2-4 volunteer leaders that will guide your team through the preparation, planning and construction process.

I have never done construction work before, can I still participate?
Absolutely! In fact, most volunteers are construction novices, and have never done anything like this before. You only need a few basic tools and personal items (see What To Bring, PDF 40k), and our leaders will show you the way!

What can I bring?
See our What To Bring list (PDF, 40k), for everything you personally need to bring. The list is basic. In addition, your team will organize the tools and equipment needed to build the home. Your team will likely organize a "house-warming" basket, with practical household items for the family you're building for. You can contribute to this with new items (make sure all items are NEW, and with tags—no used items). You can also bring snacks and drinks for yourself. Make sure though, and read the "What CAN'T I bring", below.

Also, you MUST bring valid I.D. For kids, make sure you have a copy of their birth certificate. The U.S. border patrol has been carefully checking I.D. of everyone entering the U.S.

What CAN'T I bring?
The Mexican border guard is VERY particular about what you CAN'T bring across. It is critical that you not bring any of the items below, as it can jeopardize your freedom (you could end up in jail), your vehicle (it could be confiscated), and the future success of Project Mexico.

Please don't bring any of the following:

- Guns, weapons or ammunition of any kind.
- No used clothing of any kind (to give away)
- No beans (Pinto, refried... seriously!).

Do I need a Passport or other I.D.?
You current do not need a passport to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico by land. However, you DO need valid identification (a driver's license is perfect) to re-enter. For children, a birth certificate will suffice.

The laws are changing though. The U.S. State Department and Department of Homeland Security stipulates that On December 31, 2007, all travelers re-entering the U.S. by land will be required to show a valid passport (even those entering from Mexico). Travelers entering from Mexico by sea and air will need to show a passport starting Dec. 31, 2006.

So, we don't have to worry about a passport until Dec 31, 2007. Acquiring a passport can be costly (around $100) and time time-consuming (must allow 6 weeks+). However, a less-costly and quicker alternative seems to be coming, for those entering the U.S. from Mexico.

The Department of Homeland Security is coming up with an alternative to acquiring a passport, for those re-entering the U.S. from Mexico. It is called the People Access Security Service Card. It will be available at the end of 2006, be less expensive and easier to obtain than a passport. It will resemble a Driver's License.

Therefore, nothing to change for now. But as the law stands today, new I.D. will be required beginng Dec 31, 2007.

See the L.A. Times article, Passport or ID? Depends on how you enter th U.S.

See the State Department web site's latest info for re-entering the U.S. from Mexico here.

What if I'm NOT a U.S. citizen?
Make sure you have valid I.D. and VISA (or other official documentation stating that you can legally enter the U.S.). EVEN IF YOU ARE A U.S. CITIZEN, you STILL need to bring valid I.D. with you.

Where do we stay?
On our upcoming trip, we'll be staying at Rancho Solo, located in the southern reaches of Tijuana, about 20 minutes south of the border. There are separate sleeping quarters, bathrooms and showers for men and women. There's 2 small kitchens, dining area, and plenty of Tijuana charm. The accommodations are rustic, but hey... it'll keep the rain off your head (pray for NO rain, though!). And for those of you who just CAN'T get away from email, there's an small internet café.

Where exactly are we building?
We'll be building in a community called San Bernardo. This is a new community, made of nearly 300 families, most of whom lost everything in flash floods last winter. San Bernardo is located along the southern edge of Tijuana, near the coast, and about 45 minutes south of the San Ysidro border crossing.

How safe is it?
All things considered, it's pretty safe. There has been much mis-information about the dangers of traveling in Mexico. We've had few problems, and driving in Mexico is pretty much as it is here in the states. Of course, we're in a foreign country, so you gotta use lots of caution and common sense.

While building the house, you will be on a construction site. There will be power tools, and people working overhead. You'll need to use MUCHO caution, wear a hard-hat, and only use power tools once you've received proper instruction.

The community of San Bernardo does have inherent dangers, especially to children. There are drop-offs and unexpected holes in the ground (often for latrines). There may be exposed electrical wires (please avoid these), and please, DO NOT FEED OR TOUCH ANY DOGS. Local dogs are not vaccinated, may carry rabies, and may bite (even the cute ones). If you are bitten by a dog, you pack your bags and go home, and seek medical attention in the states, right then and there. Best to stay away from the cute puppies.

Can I bring my kids?
Sure. We encourage famillies to participate. Just remember, you'll be responsible to watch them on and around the job site. There are hazards around our job site, including power tools, people working overhead and more. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure the safety of their child. Please see "How Safe Is It?", and "Other Cautions" below.

How do we get there?
We'll caravan in carpools, which will be organized at your team meetings. If you're able to drive, please let your team leader know. We'll caravan on Friday to San Ysidro (meeting at Denny's), then cross the border together, driving to Rancho Solo. We'll then caravan to San Bernardo.

What about food and drinks?
Most meals are provided (breakfast Saturday & Sunday, dinner on Saturday), and are delicious! Our food crew really goes all-out. Your team will organize lunches on-site, as well as dinner on Friday. You may want to bring snacks for yourself, and definitely water or drinks for yourself at the worksite.

How are the families that we build for chosen?
We work with Baja Christian Ministries in selecting families to build for, who take each prospective family through a detailed review. Families must meet basic requirements, including:

1. They must own the land that we're to build on
2. They can't own any other property in Mexico

If families meet this criteria, they are then selected based on need.

Will my cell phone work?
Probably. However, you must first check with your cell phone service provider, and may need to request activation in Mexico. Note that most carriers charge premium rates for calls made and received in Mexico.

Other Cautions
This is stating the obvious, but we're on a construction site with power tools, people working overhead, etc. As such, you'll need to stay very aware of your surroundings, and use extra caution at all times.

STAY AWAY FROM THE DOGS! There are many. Typically, they're nice and won't bother you. These dogs typically DON'T get shots, which means there always the possibility of rabies if you get bit. Please don't pet the dogs, don't hold them, and expecially don't feed them. If you get bit, you will need to leave and go home immediately, and begin rabies treatment (6-8 weeks of treatment). Best to stay away from the dogs altogether.

Do you have any other questions? Send an email to Jon Hall at jon.hall@canyonhillschurch.org.