The Vatican gave these women 17,000 pesos (approximately 1,700 US$) to help them out. They decided to do something constructive with the money. As they lived in ramshackle dwellings, they chose to build proper new houses. Together they started building walls and roofs out of clay. This brought scorn and derision from the men and the elders. Now that they have built 14 houses of excellent quality, they are looked upon with great admiration.

Carmela is working on Julia's house. She stops to catch her breath before carrying this adobe brick up to the roof.