Juntos Servimos, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, was formally organized under the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act in 2004 to support the humanitarian work of Dr. Nancy Rodriguez and Larry Cox at Casa Bugambilia in the Derechos Humanos colonia in Matamoros, Mexico. Dr. Nancy began work in 1997 in a medical clinic sponsored by the Catholic Church located in the Derechos Humanos colonia. Larry’s humanitarian work in Mexico began in 2000 and focused on the construction of homes. Over a three year period, Larry coordinated volunteer groups in the construction of over 75 homes in this area. He also assisted residents to get better medical care, food and water, frequently coordinating his work with Dr. Nancy’s.

In 2003, Dr. Nancy and Larry expanded their collaboration to improve the quality of life in the colonias, including medical care, food and water, sanitation, shelter and educational assistance. They began constructing a permanent shelter in the Derechos Humanos colonia to house a medical clinic, a temporary shelter for abandoned persons, a community kitchen and a workshop. This shelter was named “Casa Bugambilia”.

Since Casa Bugambilia was established, the efforts to relieve suffering and bring healing and opportunity to the colonias have grown and changed in response to the community. The original needs brought to Dr. Nancy and Larry were mostly for simple medical consultations and home construction. As they gained the trust and confidence of the communities they served, they were faced with additional and more complex requests. The response has similarly evolved.

The Casa Bugambilia shelter is used for medical treatment, especially for those untreated for diabetes, an albergue to shelter ill and abandoned persons until they can be reunited with their families, and as a place for therapeutic treatments requiring physical or occupational therapy. Medical office visits are also performed in a permanent medical clinic located in the Cinco de Marzo colonia donated for Casa Bugambilia’s use in 2006.

In an effort to provide children of the colonias with the education that can help them escape poverty, Casa Bugambilia has expanded its education activities. Since the early days of Casa Bugambilia, secondary students have received financial support to attend school. Beginning in 2007, Casa Bugambilia has sponsored tutoring for elementary school children and, in 2008, began learning readiness classes for preschool children. Both efforts complement the local public education effort.

Until the summer of 2008, construction efforts focused on homebuilding and home improvement projects. Since then, construction efforts have primarily focused on the expansion of Casa Bugambilia, but the need for homebuilding will increase in response to the establishment in 2009 of new colonias on bare ground near the old garbage dump.