In reply to kathy.

That's a good question, and remains to be seen. We're not talking about a lot of money per family... if a latrine costs 2,000q, then that's only 600q per family. One one hand, that's expensive: about 17 days labor at minimum wage. On the other hand, if they don't buy chips and Coke for their kids just one day a week, they can save that much in about a year, not lifting a finger. Part of what we're trying to do it also teach about smart money choices. In our municipality, though, they have a huge advantage: the government's new Mi Familia Progresa program gives them 300q a month, all they have to do to get it is take their kids in for the scheduled vaccines and make sure they go to school. If a family saves that check for two months, they're done. How many families do you know in the U.S. that can save up for a major home remodel in two months?
Barring all that, though, there are still some families that are too destitute for even these measures (like Cecilia, one of our neighbors). We are going to let them substitute a cash value for manual labor in these cases.