In a humble corner of Tijuana, the life of Bertha Alicia Barrera Ochoa and her family unfolded with the ups and downs that come with daily struggle. At 46, Bertha was facing a tough challenge: a disability caused by a workplace accident had turned her life upside down. For the past four months, she had been living with constant back pain, relying on a monthly income of just $10,800 pesos (around $600 USD) to support her two children 22-year-old Yuleni Elizabeth and 17 year old Jesús Adrián as well as her young grandson Johan, just two years old.
The family had built their home with great effort 11 years earlier—a simple house that reflected their
love and sacrifice. But financial hardship had forced them to make compromises, like installing a roof
that, while functional, lacked proper waterproofing. Years of rain and wind took their toll, rotting the
wood. Cracks and holes in the roof became more noticeable, threatening to collapse at any moment.
Yuleni, like her mother, was a single mom doing everything she could to support the household. She offered eyelash extension services, but the income was irregular and not enough to meet the family’s growing needs. Jesús Adrián, meanwhile, had dropped out of school, trapped in the uncertainty of a future that felt increasingly out of reach.
Then, tragedy struck in a way no one expected. One day, as Bertha returned home after picking up some medication, she saw something that froze her in her tracks her house was on fire. From a distance, she saw Yuleni, tears streaming down her face, trying desperately to save what little they could. In the end, the fire consumed nearly everything they had worked so hard to build.
Through her tears, Yuleni admitted she felt responsible. “We lost everything, Mom… it’s all gone,” she said, as Bertha tried to comfort her. Deep down, both knew that no matter how devastating the situation was, they couldn’t give up.
A ray of hope arrived through a friend of Yuleni’s who attended the Oblate Pastoral Center at her church, run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
She told them about the roofing program sponsored by Serving Hands, an organization dedicated to helping families in vulnerable situations. Moved by Bertha’s story, the Roof building team quickly got into action.
In less than a day, the roof was completely rebuilt. The dangerous structure that had loomed over them for years was transformed into a safe, dignified shelter for Bertha, her children, and her grandson. The team worked with care and dedication, ensuring every corner was sealed and protected from the elements.
When the family saw the final result, they couldn’t hold back their tears. Overcome with emotion, Yuleni hugged her mother and little Johan, giving thanks to God and to the people who made this small miracle possible.
“This is a new beginning,” Bertha said, her smile filled with renewed hope. Despite the hardship, the support from their community had restored their spirit. Now, under a secure roof, they had the chance to rebuild not just their home, but their future as a family.
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