So Sad To Leave, But Never Good-Bye

Having been given the blog for Dedication Day, a swarm of emotions came to mind. Being the final blog, I know that it should finish with a “Bang”, but that would only cause 60% of our outreach team to scream.

The day started off with a division of the team into three groups: sorters, shoppers and adventurers. One group had been chosen to stay at the resort to sort through all of the donations. However, the job description is actually quite deceiving. Having had to carry one of the bags full of donations, it was easy to tell that the group had sorted through several waves of heavy donations!

The second group was in charge of gathering another set of donations. They had gone to the local supermarket and were in charge of purchasing essential goods for the family: eggs, milk, soap, matches, all fitting into the list. With only a few moments of distraction, as the students themselves had needs (mainly chips and chocolate), the group finished shopping in record time

The final group had left on an excursion to Monkey Jungle. Monkey Jungle is everything that the name suggests and so much more! The primary function of the complex is that it serves as a clinic, which doctors from all over the world come to, to provide free healthcare to local Dominicans and Haitians. But the real excitement for the group was the squirrel monkeys that were equally excited to see them – and only partially because of the food they brought. The monkeys help to bring in profit so that the clinic can continue to be free for the locals.

All the groups met back at the hotel later in anticipation for the house dedication. Near 3pm, the keys to the new house were passed over to Alejandrina after several heart warming speeches. As Alejandrina’s tears of joy began, it had finally dawned on me, we were truly changing the life of this family, hopefully forever. 

After a tour of the house, in which the two children found and had started playing with all their new toys, we left for the school. All the kids were let out soon after and the school yard soon became a display of pandemonium. All the students, Dominican and Canadian alike, had a glowing smile on their faces as they played even without truly understanding. But it had ended too quickly. Almost as quickly as it began, there was a need to pack up and leave the smiling faces of all the children. But no matter how saddening it was, the children continued smiling, walking out to our buses, and waving goodbye as we drove off.

Although we hate to be going it is important to remember that we are not saying goodbye. Whether you come back to the community or not, we will never forget the lessons taught to us by the Dominicans. Their unrelenting smiles, love and joy are things that I hope that we can all bring back home. We will never forget what we have done here in the Dominican and no matter how sad it is to leave, remember it isn’t goodbye because they will live on in us forever.

Trevor, LiveDifferent Hero Holiday Volunteer, Gonzaga Trip 2014

Tears of Joy

As a Gonzaga student who got to go on this Dominican outreach trip last year, preparing to go for this trip was both nerve wracking and exciting at the same time. There were several things I knew I could look forward to and many new experiences I didn’t expect to have, but have made this trip a whole new experience for me to remember. 

After meeting the family we were building for and starting full work days to complete this project, it didn’t take us any time to get into the routine of working together as a team. This year our group has many more students compared to previous years but for me, now my Dominican family has grown and I couldn’t be more grateful. 

By Tuesday, all of us students, teachers, LiveDifferent staff, contractors and members of the community were working hand in hand to build this home for Alejandrina and her two granddaughters. Our work consisted of tons of cement mixing, smooth coating, sifting, painting and much much more. After working several hours in the sun, many of us were exhausted because of how much physical work we were doing in comparison to our normal weekdays at school. But one thing that stood out to me is how not one person complained because all of us were fuelled by the smiles on the family’s faces as they watched their new home be built up from the ground where their old home used to stand. Even though many of us face the language barrier with people here in the Dominican, their smiles were something that needed no translation. 

After working hard to complete as much as possible on the house and helping out at the local school to build a new office, we all got some time to play with the children who were there at the playground that afternoon. Just pushing them on the swings or playing tag with them is something that they cherished and looked forward to which was then passed on to each of us in ways we could have never predicted. The love that they showed for us was something that you can’t buy anywhere and will never forget. 

That evening was our team dinner out in Cabarete which is a beautiful beach town where we all got to eat dinner together by the shore. We all bonded some more, learning things about each other and just becoming closer as we continued to share this experience in our lives. 

Wednesday morning we were back to work on our last building day which was the final stretch for us to complete this home before Dedication Day where we hand over the keys to our family. All of us were exhausted, sunburnt, and sore but I think it was the best work day we had by far. The motivation we all had to keep going and energy that was present at the work site was something everyone could feel because of how excited we were to give not only a new home, but a future to the Martinez family. We mixed batch after batch of cement, passed buckets along in a line and helped each other out to finish up everything left in the house before our workday ended. When the end of our workday was coming close to an end, those final few moments to push through we’re definitely moments to remember. While painting the house we all got into a little paint fight and everyone was covered in paint among the cement already on us. But one moment I won’t forget is when the floor was finally finished in the house and I went to ask Alejandrina if she was excited and she nodded her head because overall she was just speechless, and when I told her tomorrow she will be living inside a new home with her granddaughters she teared up which just made everything that we worked all week for absolutely worth it. It didn’t matter how exhausted we were because just the fact that the time we spent this week changed a family’s life is something you’ll never forget. 

Overall this trip not only reinforced the lessons I learned last year but added on new ones. The importance of community, the benefits of hard work and determination, hope, love and appreciation, which I hope to continue to remember and implement not only for myself but to share with others for the rest of my life. 

 – Lisa, LiveDifferent Hero Holiday Volunteer, Gonzaga Trip 2014

My First Impressions

When I signed up for the Dominican trip I had no idea what to expect. As the countdown progressed, talking to others who had been on the trip in the past helped me to form a broader idea of what the trip was about. 

Julia, LiveDifferent Hero Holiday Volunteer, Gonzaga Trip, 2014

What to expect

When I signed up for this trip I did not know what to expect. I envisioned being exhausted for 10 days, discovering the conditions of the people living in poverty, and doing hard but meaningful work. With LiveDifferent, every day I discovered wisdom that I would not have been able to discover anywhere else. The first one being the overwhelming kindness that the people in Puerto Plata have for one another and us “gringos”, as well.

Arriving in the town of Nuevo Renacer (New Life) we saw that the Dominicans freely greeted us with open arms and loving hearts. What I found particularly inspiring was that most families do not dwell on what they do not have, but share and give back to their own community by helping one other. By looking at their smiles and witnessing their laughter, I honestly could not tell how little they had due to the joy they shared with each another. 

I have also learned the importance of building relationships beforehand with the local leaders and people who are in need help. It is probably the most important thing when it comes to charity work. Without trustworthy relationships with the leaders of the community, the so-called “help” we would be giving them could potentially do more harm then good. For example, giving 100 pairs of shoes to one community may cause the shoe store down the road to go out of business. In our case, Sandra was basically the Mother Theresa of the community whose strength and love shone through the project and allowed us to build the home for the deserving family brick by brick. 

Alexia, LiveDifferent Hero Holiday Volunteer, Sentinel Secondary, 2014

It is better to give than to receive

As said in our debrief meeting tonight; it is better to give than to receive.   There’s truly nothing more rewarding than doing what you can to make someone’s life a little better. Today was our first work day, and boy isn’t everyone exhausted! Everyone worked harder than I could imagine.  You don’t feel the work until you’re on your way home because the smiles and encouragement from the locals give you all the energy and motivation you need.

When going on a Hero Holiday, you’re ready to give everything up just to give it all to people you feel need it more, but what you soon realize is you’re receiving just as much back in return. The locals are teaching you something. I have learned about true happiness, love, and strength in family and community. The family that we are building a house for has nothing but smiles on their faces, the children may be quiet at first but they are definitely not camera shy! It is only the beginning of our journey so far but I can see the connections being built and strengthened between our group and the community. On our first trip into one of the villages a local lady was speaking to us and it was being translated and she said “You are part of our community, our home is your home.” She was so thankful that we would leave the comfort of our homes to come and try to make their lives a little easier.

There is a beauty in this place, there is a beauty in these people, and there’s a new beauty within my heart. I have already learned a great deal on this journey, and I can already see the growth within myself and the team.  Having amazing, positive, and understanding leaders is a huge thing for this trip. You have people that inspire and guide you within your trip and slowly as we mix the cement for our families house there’s another mix of cement that is cementing all of these memories into to our hearts. For today is just a day and tomorrow is but a dream and if you follow your dreams today than there’s no turning back.  The greatest way to find happiness is not to look for it, but to give it to someone else.

– Shaleigh, LiveDifferent Hero Holiday Volunteer, Oceanside, 2014

What it means to LiveDifferent

Today I had the opportunity to talk to Olga, the mother for one of the families we are building for. She has been living in a wooden house that is in very bad condition, very close to a polluted river, with her daughter Yocasta, 15 years old, and her grandson, David, 7 years old (who she has raised like a son since he was born.) She described that every time it rains, the river overflows and seeps into their home, and it is one of the many hard obstacles she has to go through everyday. When this happens, she and her family have to run to another neighbor’s house to be safe for the night. The next day, when the rain stops, there is so much uncertainty about coming back home, wondering whether the house has been completely destroyed, or if their belongings have all been ruined or swept away.

Olga expressed how great of an impact it will be to finally have a new and safe home for her and her family. She would feel, of course, more secure, and not have to worry about the rain anymore. Also, even though he is seven years old, David has never been in school a day in his life, so now that they will be living right next to the community school, he will finally be able to go for the first time.  Olga feels very happy and confident too because she will be living closer to Pastor Garcia and his family, as he is a leader in the community who has played an important role in her life for a long time.

She told me: “I am so thankful to God and to all of you. All these people have traveled from such far places,  just to help us, working so hard, giving their money and their time, without anything we can give in exchange”. I interrupted her and said: ” You know Olga, there is a lot you and your family are giving us: it is the joy to see you so excited, the feeling of being proud when we know we have made a difference in your family, and the happiness to know that from now on, you will LiveDifferent.” She smiled and we hugged each other.

On my way back to the hotel, I thought, ‘they’re not the only ones that are “living different” because we (my family) are too.’ After this experience, the way we can see life and the appreciation for what we have and how we are able to live our lives is incredible. It is a privilege for me to have realized that I also “LiveDifferent.”

Eliana, volunteer, LiveDifferent Hero Holiday, Christmas Public Trip, 2013/2014

Always remember

The buildup to house dedication day was palpable. We had heard there were amazing changes taking place at the build site on Sunday while team members were away enjoying a kayak ride, zip lining, or visiting with surrendered capuchin monkeys. Tension was mounting – we knew the job was not yet complete. How could we possibly be enjoying such great adventures when we knew there was still work to be done?

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we honoured the memories of the soldiers who died for our freedom – our Canadian freedom. Not a typical place for Remembrance Day as the ceremony location was overlooking the Caribbean Sea. We watched the waves roll in and listened to one of our team members read In Flanders Fields. This was an opportunity to reflect on our freedom as we looked forward to sharing a new-found freedom – that of the families whose lives we had spent the past week changing.

Wearing our poppies proudly, we jumped on to the buses for one last trip to the build site. We passed the same tumbling houses we had seen for days, but for some reason the area seemed to be calm and uncharacteristically quiet along our route. The little boys and girls we had passed each day waving and calling to us were missing, but our sights were set on the five houses at the end of the road where the land meets the sea, and the garbage relentlessly washed up onto the shore.

When we reached the spot previously called Aguas Negras (black water), we began to hear cheers and celebration. We walked over the garbage, through a crowd of young boys chanting and singing, using WestJet frisbees in their hands as tambourines. Crossing the same bridge we had been crossing all week, over the black water, we spotted change. There stood the fruits of our labour. Five humble homes painted cheerful colours, nestled into a community of shacks and shanties.

In a community now named Nuevo Renacer (new revival), there is a new beginning. We helped to change the lives of five families and have given them hope. It all seemed fitting on a day that we reflect on the freedom that was given to us by the sacrifices of others.

We’re a team. Change doesn’t happen because of one person but the efforts of many. It’s been an honour and a privilege to be a part of their lives. We are all forever changed.

Lauren Diemer, Flight Attendant

Celebration

Our last build day is filled with mixed emotions. Excitement to see the houses near completion, confusion about how the time flew by so fast and relief that we don’t have to manually mix anymore cement. It’s come to that point where we’re having our last moments with the families, translators and kids. I’m not sure how to say goodbye. 

On this night we celebrated the project. We dressed up in our cleanest clothes (if we could find any) and headed out for dinner. We haven’t changed the world, but for 10 days we’ve chosen to LiveDifferent and it’s paid off. People who were strangers to us a week ago we now count as friends. There is a great sense of humanity that has come with spending our energy on others. I think the name of this trip should be changed to the Human Holiday. 

I’m thankful to work for a company that embraces the idea of making the world a better place. The Dominican Republic brings money into each of our pockets and it’s nice to put a small portion of that money back into this community. The final song played during our celebration was Don’t stop believing  – truly fitting. We took a chance and tried to help five families get a new lease on life. We’ve accomplished that and more.

When I say “we”, I don’t just mean the 50 WestJetters that traveled here. I mean the people who donated money towards this project, the community leaders that enabled this project to be effective and the translators who helped us get to know our families. Then there was the LiveDifferent staff that took care of all our needs, all the contractors who led the build, the neighbours who joined to help every step of the way and our hotel that kept us safe and fed.

To all the behind-the-scenes people who filled in the blanks – I know there has been a lot going on in the background we haven’t seen. It’s impossible to imagine how many people played a part it getting these homes to completion. 

I can’t wait to see the families move in – a new life awaits them.  I wish you could feel how strongly we care about these people, but know that as a company, we were doing a good thing down here. I hope you’re all celebrating with us. 

Jennifer Sinyerd, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Edmonton

The price of poverty

Anyone who has ever dealt with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor. – James A. Baldwin

Everything is standing still while simultaneously rushing by. The wind is strong and the waves are thick, black and riddled with garbage. I have been here before and the feeling is always the same – it can only be described as a punch in the heart. This time, I don’t notice the smell although some of my new friends are swallowing it down as quick gusts of wind carry it by. 

A little hand takes mine and walks me down the familiar path.  The community has flooded from the surf emerging over the walls of the rocks on the shore. Children are swimming in the sewage-filled water spilling over their porches, and families are bailing out the homes being invaded by black water.  

Our journey to spend a day with a few of the kindest souls I have ever met has begun. We arrive in front a small blue shack and are welcomed by smiling faces. Kids are running in circles in front of the house and hurry in as soon as they see us. They are hesitant but generous with smiles and laughter. This family has graciously welcomed us in to their home to experience a few moments of life through their eyes.  We have brought a few weeks’ worth of food for them to express our thanks and help to cook them meal. It is a modest few grocery bags full of supplies for the mother, two boys and grandmother living here. 

I have experienced a day-in-the-life before with LiveDifferent, but at that point it was a work day organized at one of the local garbage dumps. This day is different – not worse, not better, just different. Each time I’ve asked myself the question that Cole, the LiveDifferent leader in the Dominican and Haiti, posed to us on my first WestJet trip (I have returned this year as a team lead) – who would you be in this life? When fetching a five-gallon pail of water takes an hour out of your day in the sweltering heat, or washing laundry by hand consumes four hours of your morning. It’s easy to lose perspective in our first world and complain when you can fit all but two dishes in your dish washer.  

The mother is generous with her time and patience as we fumble around the kitchen nervous to meet our new friends and share a few stories about each other’s lives. As we prepare some food, they begin to tell us their story.

The father, who struggled with diabetes, passed away seven months ago from a heart attack. There are two beautiful sons and a daughter in the family, one son is just 13 but had to leave his studies to work as a motorcycle mechanic so he could make just 250 pesos a week, the equivalent of $6.25 Canadian. The youngest boy struggles with diabetes like his father, and is often very sick as a result of having no food to eat. I struggle with the next part of their story as there is no easy way to relay it and it should not be something that any person has to experience. The youngest of the family, a beautiful and bright little girl named Estafni, was sent to live in a nearby orphanage as they could not afford food to feed the whole family. 

This beautiful woman and mother of three was forced to choose a child that would be the most likely to survive on her own and give her up to be raised by strangers. This family has no money to buy food and yet they have paid the price of a child – giving up raising her only daughter and her boys growing up without a sister.  

Everyone has a story. While some may not be of love and loss, everyone here is paying a heavy price to live in poverty. From the simple tasks taking ten times longer to execute, spending long hot days and nights with an empty stomach, or losing your sight to a preventable disease –these are costs that no person should have to pay. Yet, this beautiful family is able to find some semblance of a silver lining as the mother smiles at us with tears in her eyes and says, “but at least Estefani is big now – she is eating, reading and writing.” I knew before the translator said it out loud that this would break my heart ten times over, as she fought back tears and looked at us to repeat the words in English. 

So how do we find the balance? There is enough food and wealth to take care of the world four times over, but what are we as a first world wasting it on? I can’t answer that for you, all I can ask is who would you be? And what are you willing to do to change it?

For Clayvis, Henry (the man of the house now), Kevin and Estefani – my heart is with you always.

Laurel Myers, Program Delivery Advisor

Spring tide

It was a long, hard day in the hot sun.  This particular day began when we discovered that the area of community in which we were working was almost underwater due to a phenomenon they call the spring tide.  The streets were full of dark water and garbage, as were some of the local shacks. Waves were crashing on the shoreline and over the meager, community-made causeway, bringing in more water and garbage by the minute.

The situation required some creative workarounds and the need for many remote locations to bring gravel, sand and cement to mix.  Cinder blocks were set into the water in the few places where it was only ankle deep, allowing us to have a stepping stone path to carry buckets of supplies back-and-forth into the houses. Community members helping on-site were pushing wheelbarrows through knee-deep water where the usual routes into the houses rested.

The dark, smelly water slowly receded as the day passed and by the afternoon, we were back to business as usual.  Many of the community members were busy in the streets sweeping the garbage out their doors or off of their porches.  One lady who had kindly offered her house as a place for us to deposit backpacks and belongings for safe-keeping was in tears – I suspect, not because there was water in her house, but because some of our belongings got a bit wet.  

I found myself acclimatizing and the temperature didn’t bother me as much, so I made the mistake of not taking enough breaks and not drinking enough water. By the end of the day I was both exhausted and feeling ill.  Rest, a little lemonade with extra salt and some food, and I’ll feel much better.

The walls are up. We are working on smooth coating them now. Wiring and plumbing is happening as we work. The roof will be the next big challenge, but for now, which way to bed? 

Chris Van Vliet, First Officer