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Youth volunteers contribute to Tijuana area families in ‘meaningful’ way

Rheanna Houston hosts hip-hop dance classes to raise the money she needs to be a part of a volunteer trip.

Organized by Amor Ministries, participants will be building eight homes in Mexico for families who have requested them.

The $1,250-participant fee includes the building supplies cost that will be used.

 It will be Houston’s fifth time on the trip, and she will be going as a student leader.

The volunteers will be driving to the Tijuana area in 12-passsenger vans.

The spring-break trip, from March 22 to April 1, will have participants sleep outside and bathe using a bucket shower with cold water. Houston said it isn’t the most comfortable trip, but it’s all worth it in the end.Rheanna Houston, 20, has been doing hip hop and street dance for eight years. With the help of her fundraisers, she plans to return to Mexico for the fifth time to help build homes. She said it positively impacted her life, and she wants to give back.

Photo courtesy of Rheanna Houston

As of now, there are about 120 people registered, with more continuing to sign up.

She said the great thing about this opportunity is that the youth volunteers “who may have never built anything before, or gone out of their way for others before, are able to contribute in a meaningful manner towards a better life for a family.”

Houston will host an additional fundraiser called Cafe Mexico on Feb. 8.

The emceed event will showcase different Calgary talents including paintings, photographs, singing, and dancing.

She aims to raise $10,000 and the funds will be evenly split amongst the participants going to Mexico.

Houston plans to continue fundraising through the dance classes for her own portion. So far, she has raised $452 with three classes.

ksumalpong@cjournal.ca