Esperanza International

Esperanza International (EI), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that cultivates global citizenship through international service experiences in working toward a better world. The organization fulfills this mission by recruiting and managing groups of volunteers from around the United States of America to complete a service experience with its partner organization, Fundación Esperanza de México (FEM), which is based in Tijuana, Mexico. FEM is dedicated to managing self-built home construction projects that promote development in low resource communities interested in increasing their quality of life. In their service experience, EI volunteers help build homes, learn about local cultures, and develop long-lasting relationships with one another and with local communities. This interdependent relationship is at the core of the value created by both organizations (EI and FEM).

Esperanza International, Inc. was founded in 1985 with a vision to empower the poor to help themselves by bridging existing needs with available resources. In 1992, the organization began using innovations in construction technology - the Haener Block - to allow low-skilled volunteers to use their sweat equity to build high-quality, aesthetically-pleasing homes for families in Tijuana, Mexico. Since that time, thousands of volunteers have contributed their sweat equity and direct capital to assist resource-poor families in building their dreams while themselves becoming more aware of the interdependent nature of the world in their personal and collective journey towards global citizenship.