Addicted to Change

Joining the Boston Pizza Foundation on their annual Hero Holiday trip with LiveDifferent for the second time has been the most gratifying experience I could ever ask for. I came here thinking I knew what to expect because I’ve experienced it before but I was very wrong. Although the trip has a similar structure, I was able to revisit families I met last year, build many new relationships, and connect with the community on a deeper level. Three deserving families received brand new, safe, dry homes. Their smiles, gratitude, and tears of happiness made everything worth it – their lives will never be the same. Each parent will know that their children will sleep in a dry bed with a lock on their front door, and that fills my heart with happiness.

Coming to the work site everyday and seeing the smiles, excitement, and positivity throughout the community has taught me that change is real and that you can do anything you put your mind to. Coming from a society where everyone looks out for their own personal achievement, it is difficult to comprehend that every community member is alongside us, even the contractors and families building these houses for their neighbours. I am truly inspired and humbled to see that they are doing everything they can to change their living conditions and standard of living. Everyone in this community witnesses the progress as they work together with great faith in this process.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to be part of the change I see in the community and in the people of Nuevo Renacer. The personal development and growth experienced throughout this trip will keep me coming back because I have become addicted to the change I have seen in the lives of these deserving families and in myself as I in bark in my future endeavours.

Kristina, Volunteer, LiveDifferent Boston Pizza Trip, 2014