Since 2007, Casa Canadiense has been facilitating the building of houses in Esteli through the San Antonio Parish.

Vancouver teacher Marly Haller and her students at Canyon Heights Public school are the fundraising gurus behind this project. Marly's friendship with Father Jean Loison, a french priest who has worked in Esteli for many years, led to this on-going project.

Padre Juan, as the frenchman is fondly known, oversees the selection of poor families in marginalized neighbourhoods in need of dignified housing. Families must be owners of their plot to be eligible and be able to provide someone to work on the site on a daily basis. Religion is not a factor in choosing family.

To date, Marly and her students have been able to raise about 10 houses.