BERLIN’S DAY OF REALIZATION

My parents have protected me incredibly well as a child, preventing me from any danger in the Philippines, and as well as Canada but I forget that children, are just children and although they live in poverty they know what is wrong and right and that they also know how to show their love and respect for people. I can’t imagine holding a strangers hand, who looked a lot different from me if I was a child. I forget sometimes that they are people, no matter how desperate their lives can be.Everyday here is unpredictable but exciting in so many levels. We took our open back truck to our work site. In the morning we split apart and worked on building a kitchen for a school, by shoveling away through rocky ground. I have never sweat so much in my life! Then we switched teams by painting a layer of paint on the smooth concrete surface of the walls of the soon-to-be church upstairs. During these moments I was thinking about my dad and how he taught me how to paint, and also how my muscles built for dragon boating came in handy. We had a lunch back at the resort and then drove back to our work site, soon after. In the afternoon, it was my half of the teams time to explore the village nearby. Arriving at the village we greeted the many faces that stared at our foreign faces and smiled. The children ran to us, including this little boy named Felito. Automatically, the children grabbed our hands and wanted to play. At this point, Poverty in the Domincan Republic, was exactly the same way as I saw it in the Philippines . So their lifestyle wasn’t a shock to me. We stopped for a bit, and watched a few kids play dominos, and I joined in. Of course I didn’t win, but it was great to see them enjoy themselves, as they smacked the dominos on a thin wooden board that they balanced on their laps. It was awesome to have a feeling that they were open to let a stranger join in. I was also amazed, throughout this trip, that 3 certain things are universal and understandable, a wave, a smile, and a nod. The most powerful to me, is the smile. And walking through a place, looking extremely different from the people, I was amazed at how accepting they all were by showing these 3 signs.It was such an honor when they invited us to their local church, it was probably as big as my classroom, but definitely had character. All the children sat with their mugs & cups for what they were receiving after as they sang and chanted just the way we do back at my church. I understood two words as I sang and chanted with them, Christo and Alleluia! They played musical chairs and one group on their own humanitarian trip came sang them a song.As they day continued on, I think that I was so distracted by the kids who sat on my lap, played with my camera and glasses, that I forgot to look around. When I finally looked up to see them singing this beautiful song, I was so overwhelmed. I looked at all the sizes of children singing one song altogether and it finally hit me. As if something pierced my heart, and made the tears all pour out of my eyes. Many thoughts went through my head, one being “they are just like me”. Soon the numbers that, we are statistically seen as, flew over my head and I saw each and every child as who they really are, human beings. They sang with such strength, power and love for one another as well as Christ. As a religious person I felt extremely thankful for God giving me this opportunity to be with such amazing people. My tears soon caught attention to the kids, who automatically comforted me. The children tapped me on the shoulder and comforted me with their smiles. One girl named Jin, stared at me and, made a motion signifying her asking if I was crying. Then once I said yes she held my arm and slowly placed her head on my shoulder. I hugged her gently as a thank you. It’s crazy how simple gestures and actions speak much louder than words.As we were leaving a child in the church placed something in my hands. I stared at this gold bird that he made out of wire. I asked for his name, and it was something along the lines of Rueloso. I thanked him for (what I am assuming) was a gift, even though I barely acknowledged his presence throughout the day. I took a photo with him, because he provided me with so much happiness, for giving me something. Something so small, and not worth anything materialistically, but means the world to me. Considering that I was suppose to be the one that gives me something. It all went so fast, less than a minute that I spent time with him. One click of a camera and I had to leave. When walking back I looked into my hands and saw this golden bird that was beautifully crafted by this child. Tears poured out once again because I learned how easily attached I am to children who have shared even a second of a moment with me. Quickly as religious as I am I prayed to God, thanking him once again for moments like this, and for helping me realize that my passion is to affect people, like Gueloso, Jin, Felito, Hnobe, Cario, Sallysandra, Hieso, Tiguel and so many other children that have opened their arms and hearts to me.

A lot has happened throughout these few days we are here. Everyday I grow attached to more and more people, but everyday I have to say goodbye. But I realized that even though the sadness is brought upon us when we say goodbye their impact that created happiness on us is much greater. Don’t ever forget that no matter what has happens to you; don’t ever be sad it’s over, but to be thankful for it happening.

Today this trip that feels like a dream just became a reality. ~Berlin, a participant on Hero Holiday Dominican Republic July 2009To hear more from the JN Burnett team check out their blog page at: http://burnettkids.blogspot.com/

An Awarness Tour…

 This year at the beginning of our trip, Hero Holiday has added an Awareness tour. The aim of this tour is to educate our participants on the Dominican culture and a brief lesson of it’s history. We also visited our some of past projects and work sites for 2009. It was a great day and really encouraged our teams and made them excited about the work they are about to complete!Here is some blogs from our participants about the day… “Today we started out by visiting the Jewish Heritage museum in Sosua. When the world turned a blind eye to the plight of millions of Jewish lives during the Holocaust, the Dominican Republic was one of the few countries that graciously and generously accepted them and offered them citizenship and land. Walking through the museum I felt that more than ever, we all had to do all that we can do help. When the Jews needed assistance, the Dominican’s opened their arms and at that moment I felt, like many others, that it was our turn to give any help we could. We then visited the municipal cemetery and when I say cemetery, I mean more of a plain burial group with simple crosses. I was shocked at how small the graves were, showing us that many of these people passed away before turning five.We visited Danica’s grave, who lay there at only eighteen months. She had been abandoned by her mother and found in a shack by the Hero Holiday people. She was brought to medical attention, but ultimately died and I must admit that by that p0int we were pretty emotional. To think that a child so young, so innocent, so in need of help died in a strangers hand without even her relatives or her parents to hold her through her last breath is pitiful and outrageously unjust.It was a quite and somber ride back to the resort for lunch and nobody really felt like eating. After lunch, we set off for a medical clinic where we met some amazing kids. As soon as I got off the truck, a young boy called Tandy jumped on my back and wore my hat. But what rang true to me the most was how undeveloped the medical care was. The medicine cabinet had more kinds of medication than the entire pharmacy and there were only three beds serving the entire community of about 3,ooo! Without a doubt, we were dismayed by how happy and appreciative these kids felt while we all gawked out what little they proudly owned. Needless to say, we finally realized how fortunate we are in Canada. By the time we had to go, none of us could say goodbye without holding back some tears. Our next two stops, Arroyo Seco and Congrejo where we saw the finished projects of Hero Holiday. They were outstanding and the people there couldn’t thank us enough. It made me, and all of us, feel that with every dollar and every ounce of effort put in there would be a smiling face and truly grateful person behind it.Today’s Awareness Tour was a mix of bittersweet moments and regrets that our broken Spanish could not convey what our hearts wanted to say to the kids and locals. It was very emotional, but I think it made us even more excited and determined about what we will accomplish in the next few days.”~ Alex, a participant on Hero Holiday DR# 1 The first full day in Dominican, teams were packed onto the trucks for the Awareness Tour. First stop for Team 5 was the cemetery. A lot of the graves were for children, something you wouldn’t see in a fully developed country. It was interesting to learn the different burial customs of the Dominicans. We visited Danica’s grave and heard her tragic but inspiring story from Christal. Her story was the inspiration for the medical clinic which we visited next, between the Dominican populated village of Nazareth and Haitian populated Redemption. We had a quick tour of the facility and talked to Phil and Donna who run it. Just up the hill we toured the school where children are sponsored to go. After lunch we visited Arroyo Seco outside of Sosua where Garcia and his wife run a school, in the same building as the community centre and church. The genuine care and compassion they have for the children and community was evident as we talked to them. The children there were quite excited at our arrival and friends were made easily. We also got to see a house currently being constructed for Garcia and his family. Next we visited Congrejo where Bernard showed us his awesome new building, a church community centre and school. Out back behind the building we saw where we will be building a community kitchen as one of the five HH projects this week. It was great to see throughout the day past HH projects and how the help was being used and making such a difference already. Last we visited the Sosua Jewish Museum. Dominican Republic was one of the few countries during the Holocaust that allowed Jewish refugees in across the border. It was great to learn the history of the area and see how much the Jewish population encouraged and popularized tourism in the area. After the museum we crossed the street to watch local kids play a baseball game. By the end of the day everyone was tired but had so many things to talk about. It was great getting to know the rest of the team and seeing poverty first hand. Many assumptions and expectations we as Canadians have about poverty were found not to be true. The kids and people we saw were not all sad and sorry for themselves. They were happy and so glad to see us. So now that we have a better understanding of the people, area and situation, we are prepared and keen to get down to work so we can give as much as we can and face surprises that will change us.~Natalie, Summer Intern

GBC – first building day in Mexico

After waking up to roosters crowing and dogs barking, we drove 45minutes and had a late start to the building day. Despite the slightdelay we made up for lost time and succeeded in completing half of theframe, and started digging the bano (bathroom). We came back after 5hours to shower (we were really really dirty).We also had our first true Mexican meal…floutas (a deep fried taquito). We areattempting to learn basic Spanish and we are going to a servicetonight.Adios!!!- GBC team member

The Long Road to Casa de Pastor

Why is it that the thing we most need is often what we would never dream of asking for?We found her and her family in a small cardboard hut on borrowed property in Baja California, Mexico. Just another casualty of the statistics: caught in an endless cycle of lack, frustration, and marginalization. They were workers from Oaxaca, a state of southern Mexico. Oaxaca is both blessed and cursed: It is culturally diverse, full of beauty and indigenous people groups, yet 76% of the population lives below the poverty level, earning only a few dollars a day. As a result, over 150,000 Oaxacans migrate to northern Mexico and the U.S. each year. Maria and her family are a part of those numbers.To be Oaxacan in Baja California means to be thousands of kilometres from home, relegated to day labour in the fields of the Baja as an internal migrant worker, and to be always at a disadvantage in the society in which you live. To be in Maria’s shoes would be extremely difficult. When our Hero Holiday staff met her family, they described the living conditions as ‘beyond deplorable’: children without clothes, the only bathroom was a tire out front, and worst of all, their family had a secret that wasn’t as unknown as they thought.Our staff wanted to build them a house, and yet kept coming up against barriers. Maria’s family had already overstayed their welcome in the tiny community they were barely surviving in. Money and provision that had been given them in the past had been sabotaged by her husband, and instead of providing for the family went straight to his addictions. Maria and her children were trapped: unwanted in the community and unsafe in their own home.  Andrew and Dawn, members of our Hero Holiday team, offered to bring Maria to a safe house for mothers and children that are trapped in abuse. Reluctantly and in fear, she agreed to come with them in a couple of days.The next day, Andrew and Dawn returned to find an abandoned cardboard hut. Maria was gone. Her husband had discovered her plan and forced her and her children to leave immediately with him.  The search for rescue began – too much was at stake. When they finally found Maria, her husband had once again abandoned them in another cardboard hut, only this time their only source of food was the local garbage dump. They were filthy, sick, and hungry. Now Maria was ready to do whatever it would take. As our staff began to explain to them about Casa de Pastor, the women’s shelter that they wanted to bring them too, the little family got anxious. Maria had already had one son taken from her, and there was no way they were going to be separated again. But she knew they could not do this on their own: they needed to reach out and take the hand offered to them.
It’s a long drive to Casa de Pastor, and when you are fearful of what you will come to, the ride can be excruciating. Maria has spent her life growing accustomed to disappointment. Life has been one long, endless string of work, pain, fear and poverty. But when they arrived at Casa de Pastor, hope arrived with them.They were shown their new room with 5 clean beds, they had the relief of  knowing there would be three meals a day provided, and reliable and safe daycare while Maria is out in the fields working. Casa de Pastor has given Maria the opportunity to learn new skills, to be self-sufficient, and learn how to provide for her family in a safe way. In the future, as they are able to live on their own, we are committed to building them a new house.One day, not so long ago, Maria’s deepest wish was granted: Andrew and Dawn brought her to be reunited with her son. He is currently in an orphanage where he is being educated and being provided for, and Maria now has access to visiting him and being a part of his life again. Their reunion was intimate and heartwarming. Maria’s mind could now be at peace.In Andrew’s own words, his journey into Maria’s life has been one of insight:I was going to tell her that she was going to be blessed with a house, but at this time that wasn’t the best for her.  Sometimes we think we have all the answers: a house, a car, other material possessions, but when you really spend the time and look into someone’s life there is a lot more that is needed.  In this case it was learning some new skills just to cope with being a mom and the bread winner for her family, which she has never done before.  This story with Maria is not over.  There are many new things to come.  A house, a piece of land, maybe a reunited family that can stay healthy, happy and have a hope for the future.The cycle of abuse is a deep wound in every culture and economic level. Women stay in abusive relationships for many reasons, most of them motivated by fear for their children. Poverty only magnifies the problems and limits the solutions. For Maria, one small act of kindness on Andrew and Dawn’s part helped to give an entire family a future they could have only dreamed of before they met them. This story is our tribute to Andrew, Dawn, and all the other people in the world like them: people of compassion, kindness, and the willingness to reach out a hand to those who need it most. Never underestimate the power of your own life.
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read.” ~ Mark Twain 
This summer, Hero Holiday is going to be working in Mexico with many families such as Maria’s. We would love to have you join us. You can make a difference -you can be a part of change! To find out more about Hero Holiday, how to get involved, or how to become a member of our Hero Network, go to www.livedifferent.com

July 4th, 2009 – Today’s Events with Hero Holiday

1.   Registration and orientation day in Toronto for Dominican Hero Holiday!2.   GBC private charter group from Calgary is traveling down the Baja today and will arrive in Vicente Guerrero tonight as they begin their Hero Holiday in Mexico!

The Orphan Diet Vol #2

For those of you participating in the Orphan Diet for the month of June, thank you so much for all your help!  Donations are still coming in from all over the country!Here is another short video titled “There are two classes of people in this world”Thank you to everyone who is helping these children.  If you still want to get involved and help out, it is not to late.To donate to the Orphan Diet:

Mail Cheques and Money Orders to:Suite 400, 44 Hughson St. NorthHamilton, ONCanadaL8R 1G3*Cheques are payable to LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) (Please memo your cheques: ‘the orphan diet’)By Credit Card (by telephone)To make a donation via credit card, call toll free 1 866 432 4464

Welcome GBC group to Mexico

The GBC group arrived safety at LAX yesterday afternoon.   After a short bus ride to San Diego, everyone settled in for the night at the hotel with a great anticipation what tomorrow would hold.This morning we will be having breakfast and then heading across the border into Mexico.  From here, it is about a five hour drive down to Vicente Guerrero where we will be staying.