We have now been here for a week; what a week it has been. When we arrived we had 50 WestJetters, many of who have never met before, and now after just seven short days, new friends and life long memories have been made.

 

When our team first arrived on the worksite I think we were eager to get started but apprehensive at the same time. Many of us have never been a part of something like this or built a house before. Within a few short hours, the team could have been mistaken for a professional crew. 

 

The local contractors have loved the experience just as much as we have. There has been impromptu dance offs, laughs and jokes being thrown around and real genuine connections made. The main contractor on our site is Gustavo and it is for him and his family that the team I am with are building a home for. Seeing him work on his own home and having his other family members on the site help out has been amazing to see. 

 

 

They have also welcomed us into their home as if we were family. Every day after lunch, they have a freshly brewed pot of coffee waiting for our arrival – the perfect treat. Our team has the privilege to meet and work alongside Gustavo’s wife, son, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew and father. This has been an incredible experience for our team. Our team has developed a real relationship with Gustavo’s family and their fellow WestJetters. 

 

This past week I have seen our team go from complete strangers to a team that of family members. In a world where you may not talk to your neighbours for six months at a time, it is incredibly refreshing to see such genuine human connections being formed. We often lose that human touch in the fast-paced world we live in and every now and then, a reminder of the power of connections is needed. I know that in our seven short days, our team has received that beautiful reminder. 

 

Justin Jones, Chief Duty Dispatch