PROJECT #61

Mario has done small welding projects for LWH virtually since we started school construction in 2009, but we were never able to bring him on full-time. At 65, Mario is working to support the education of his niece and his grandchild, after already putting two of his own children through college. He is no longer able to put in as many hours on big welding projects at his own shop but, due in large part to the ODW grant, we have been able to employ him full-time onsite since February of this year. Mario’s age and wisdom have brought a new dynamic to our construction team. He is a role model for many of our younger workers and his insightful comments during meetings have helped to facilitate a deeper feeling of team spirit, especially between the foreign and local staff members. It is LWH’s desire to live by example. Mario Xocop is helping us to meet that objective; he lives the values of his Mayan ancestors while remaining flexible to new ideas and using his voice to effect change in his community.