Happy Birthday to Me!
3 years ago, on August 17, I started my first Hero Holiday. It’s amazing how my life has changed in the last 3 years because of Hero Holiday. I would like to bring you back to the school year of 2006 – 2007, my grade 10 year. Throughout grade 10 I was bullied and harassed by my fellow students. This had an effect on me. I had problems with low self esteem, I was depressed, I was suicidal. The more depressed I got, the more social anxiety I felt. The best thing that happened to me in high school was when LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) did a presentation at my school in the spring of 2007. After seeing their presentation I immediately signed up for the Mexico Hero Holiday.When the school year ended, I was so depressed and so anti-social that all I wanted to do was stay in my room and play video games. Day in and day out, that is what I did. I became comfortable in my own environment. I was afraid of the outside world. Answering the phone, opening the door to the house, and even going on facebook became the hardest tasks for me. I would do whatever it took to avoid anything social. This did not help me, the more I stayed in the house the more depressed I got. I thought this was normal. It’s what all teenagers do. That’s why I kept this to myself.
My 16th birthday was special. No, I didn’t get a get a car, a new tv, or new clothes. Instead, i found out I had social anxiety from doing online research. Lucky me huh.? A couple of days I visited the doctor and was diagnosed with depression and social anxiety. I remember the night of August 16, 2007, the night before my hero holiday trip. I was a nervous wreck, I could not sleep. I did not want to go to Mexico, I did not want to leave me room. The only reason I followed through with the trip was because my parents paid for the trip. I took the greyhound form Victoria to Abbotsford to meet up with the hero holiday group. This was was a BIG step for me. I was so nervous, so far away from home. When I met up with the other 27 participants, I barely spoke, even though we had a group dinner and orientation together. On the 18th, we headed by bus down south to San Diego. On the bus, I’d didn’t say a word til 7 hours into the trip. Not even to the person next beside me. A game of Texas Hold’em became my haven. I got lucky and played well, I actually won. My confidence grew, I started to open up. My true colours started to show, and by the time we hit Mexico no one could shut me up! For me this is what I call social high. This is when your surrounded by people who make you so happy that there is no way you can ever feel bad. I thought that feeling would only last for so long, and then I would revert back to my anti social, depressed self, but that didn’t happen.In Mexico I saw what poverty looked like. Poverty surrounded me 24/7. I realized how lucky I was not to worry about my needs, like water food and shelter. During my house build I became attached to the kids on my site. The family welcomed me with open arms, just like everyone on the Hero Holiday trip. By the time my trip ended, I realized I could never go back to my old self. I had to change. I had to be more confident, more social, and more importantly I had to be happy with the person I am.During the first week I got back I told everyone about my mental illness, and I wrote a blog for LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) about my battle with mental illness. I became a role model in my school for mental illness. During my grade 11 year, LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) did another presentation at my school. I was part of the presentation. I talked about my trip for 2 minutes in front of 700 people. A year ago this would have been my worst fear, but a after my life changing experience, it was as easy as waking in the morning. I didn’t stop there. I did presentations for my friends, for the church I went to, and high schools in Victoria as well. I became a role model among my friends. In January of this year I shared my story on the local news. It’s only been 3 years but I’ve changed so much.
At this very moment, I’m in Mexico. I’m a summer intern for both hero holiday trips in Mexico this August. A couple of days ago, I just finished my 6th house build, and I’ve been on 5 hero holiday trips so far. Even though I’m not the best builder, I try to be the most welcoming and social person on every trip. Since I’m loud, random, entertaining, caring, and Asian, I stick out like the great wall of china! During my stay in Mexico I try to make friends with everyone. My Mexican friends and I share a special bond: we have a secret hand shake. Every time I meet a nice person I do the secret hand shake which turns into a hug. Because of my experience with Hero Holiday, I have friends all over the world. I have friends like Duncan from P.E.I, to David who works at grocery store down here in Mexico.I encourage everyone to come on a Hero Holiday. You meet people your age, and become close friends. You will build a house for a family, whom you call your own. You will cry when you give them a house and say goodbye. When it’s over, you will never regret it. Your life will be changed, and you will always want to go back to visit. That’s why I’m back for the 4th consecutive summer. You only live once, and life is too short. For me, I never lived untill I went on a hero holiday trip. For me, today is my 3rd birthday. Happy birthday to me!~ Johnston
We hit the job site earlier than yesterday and possibly with more energy, or maybe it was just confidence. After greeting the family with the usual “Buenos dias,” we started swinging hammers. The morning consisted of finishing walls and playing with the always energetic children of the household and neighborhood. If anything, Hero Holiday participants should learn one word and one word only – capuchi (ka-poo-chee). It means piggyback, and believe me – los ninos (the children) NEVER get tired of those, and do not think we should either! Playing with the children and hearing their genuine laughter and seeing their smiles, makes for many precious moments that will stay in our memories for a very long time. The mother and her sister made us lunch again, and once again, it was incredible. We know it isn’t easy for her to supply eighteen hungry workers with lunch. The Coca Cola and feast most likely cost the mother a few days’ salary. Feeding us is her way of giving back, and it truly demonstrates how much our work is appreciated and how thankful they are for our presence. After our tummies were overly filled, we came to the moment of building we were all waiting for. After one and a half days of work, we stood the house up. Each wall fit into place, and on the concrete pad where two days ago there was nothing, now stands a blue house. It is more than a house to the family. It is a weight lifted from their shoulders and a dream transforming into reality. I’ll never forget the mother’s smiling face when her life changed, wall by wall. 
August 5, 2010
Today was a day of many jobs, as there was much to finish before dedication tomorrow. As Andrew listed off everything that needed to be completed, we all cringed as it seemed we would be there until dark. However, everyone put in extra effort and we accomplished our tasks not only before sundown, but with smiles on our faces. We all put in some time digging the bano, and it appeared that we would dig right through Earth’s core to the other side. One of the most strenuous jobs was putting up the 6 foot tall wind fence, which involved digging two foot holes, hand mixing cement, and lining up the posts and siding properly. To say the least, it wasn’t easy. At the end of the day, it stood tall and mostly straight and did a fine job of blocking the relentless dust for the family. This was an extra project that our entire team donated money toward. Because of the open area this family lives in, dust is constantly getting blown in their yard, and consequently, coating everything including them.
I never thought building a house would change my life; I thought my team and I would change the life of a deserving family and feel great about it. I was so wrong, the family did more for me then I could’ve ever done for them. When we first pulled up to the house I couldn’t believe the conditions they lived in, I was so anxious to start hammering some nails, little did I know the family would steal my heart. On the first day I kept to my work, hammering and measuring away, I talked to my team mates a lot and had a ton of fun. I became very close with them over the course of the trip; I’m going to miss them so much when they leave.I didn’t talk to the family too much on the first day. Coming back to next day I spent some time with the kids and in the first 5 minutes I was in love with the family but David, one of the sons, stole my heart. I love that little boy so much, I couldn’t wait to go back and be able to play with him. He is the cutest and happiest little boy! I cannot describe how beautiful his smile is, and even with his two front teeth barely there it’s still amazingly beautiful. Every day I spent more and more time with him, whether it was just holding his hand while our team leader Kent was talking or chasing him around with the truck. It was always the time of my life! I still helped a lot with the house build of course.
We showed up one day and he was playing with a beetle tied to a string, he was so happy and it amazed me that something so simple could make a kid grin from ear to ear. It makes me appreciate all that I have back home (although I now consider Mexico my home as well). Continuing on through the week we kept working hard and playing with the kids, I know we all fell more and more in love with the family, the saddest part of the day was always going home. I could not get over my excitement when all the walls were built and it was time for them to go up, I was like a kid in a candy store the way my heart was pounding. I had never been so excited in my whole life, at least not for a couple more days. After getting the final touches done on the house we went shopping for food and furniture for the house, we also sorted the clothes we had brought down as donations and divided them up for the houses the two teams working on.We headed over to the house on August 7, 2010, dedication day. We brought all the clothes and food, the furniture was delivered. We took an hour or so to set up everything and lock the house before the family showed up. After we were done, we all stood outside the house and said our good-byes and told the family how much they meant to all of us. Everyone was in tears, but the good tears. I couldn’t stop looking at David, the look on his face, he was so happy. At least what I could see through the tears streaming down my face. Their faces filled with more excited and tears as they were presented the keys and walked into their house, we let them go in by themselves but peered in the windows, I will never forget all their smiles. We went into the house to play with the kids and their new toys. I gave David a hug and never wanted to let him go, I wanted to stay with him forever. I will never forget him or his family, they made me realize how lucky I am to be so privileged to have been born in Canada, it’s that simple I was born in a country with wealth and they weren’t. They love each other so much and appreciate what they have; it made me think and re-evaluate my life.
I hope I’m able to come back and see them on my next Hero Holiday or visit when I’m in Mexico some day. Trust me no matter how tough you think you are, a little kid or a whole family will change your life in ways you can’t imagine.~ Shelby, a summer intern in Mexico
After a very hyped trip from San Diego to the Baja, all participants started work today at their building sites. Split into two groups, the 32 heroes began to build accommodations for the much deserving families. The houses are beginning to look less like forgotten lumber and more like homes.Some highlights from today included: interesting rest room stops, amazing authentic tacos, the candy store, ice cream, laughs upon laughs, a dance party, and most recently an outdoor sing along to “Don’t Stop Believing.”Tonight consisted of a daily debriefing where everyone had a chance to talk about their observations, first impressions and plans for the week. Debriefing is a good chance for our individual build groups to become closer. Sharing about the feelings you’ve experienced with people who understand is comforting, and evening activities are also a great way to turn your new acquaintances into life long friends.
Everyone is extremely outgoing which makes for an amazing trip. When participants feel accepted and at home, it creates a memorable experience. The dance party for example shows how everyone is relaxing in the Mexican environment and letting loose. And not only is everyone having a good holiday but they are also working hard too and getting lots accomplished.The locals are extremely impacting, from the mother at the one building site who made us lunch (despite the fact that she has six sons to support as well as herself on an income of under forty dollars a week!). Also, we met a boy from the community who has found himself in a wheelchair but still went throughout today with a gigantic smile on his face. He helped build and did all that he could and I think all of us could take something from that.
Everyone we meet along the way will leave something in our hearts and we will most likely leave something in the hearts of others. So, as the earth cools, and the stars shine bright it is apparent we have all had time to realize the real impact of what Hero Holiday promotes.~ Greer and Hailee
Yesterday was dedication day. All at once, the day was joyful and somber, heavy and uplifting. It was a day of new beginnings as well as goodbyes. But first, there was shopping to be done. In the morning we headed to Avigale (Mexican Costco) and bought several months worth of basic food and personal hygiene products for both families. After ten or so minutes of struggle we realized that the shopping carts wouldn’t fit out the doors, so we had to carry heavy bags of beans and rice all the way to the bus (and here we thought the physical labour was over.) We packed up the bus and headed off to the job sites.
Upon arrival, there was an air of excitement as we stocked the families’ houses with food, clothing, and various other odds and ends. We worked busily to put pillows, blankets and toys on the childrens’ brand new bunk beds and fill the kitchen shelves with food, utensils, pots, and pans. Once everything was just right, we headed outside and locked the doors. Now came the hard part: the dedication. With teary eyes, we all gathered in circles and shared our final thoughts about the build and the families. With Santiago and Isabel as our translators, we were, for the first time, able to communicate directly with the families. Many thanked them for allowing us into their lives while others could only cry and reflect on the strong relationships we had cultivated over the 
short five days. More emotions were brought forth as we handed over the keys to the front doors and allowed the families into their complete homes for the first time. After a brief tour of the homes, most of us broke down in tears. We had poured so much work and love into building a better life for the families and soon, we would leave, probably never to see them again. We all gathered for a lunch of sandwiches and veggies in one of the homes. It was a bittersweet end to our time with the families. After more tears and prolonged goodbyes, we stepped onto the bus with mixed feelings of satisfaction and sorrow. Then we went and ate delicious burritos. Kudos, Julia for your amazing cooking throughout the trip!
This morning, we got to sleep in until 8:30 (not much of a sleep-in if you ask me.) Today was our day to relax. At ten o’clock, we piled on the Hero Holiday bus for a bumpy ride to the foot of a rocky mountain encrusted in cacti. A short (but steep and prickly) hike brought us to an amazing view of the river bed and surrounding rock formations. We paused for a couple of group photos and started on our trek back down. At the foot of the mountain, Andrew awaited us with his bus, his lovely wife, and his megaphone. Though the sun wasn’t shining, we took another bumpy ride to a swimming pool nestled in the mountains. There, we ate hotdogs, swam, played crib, and basked in the Mexican sun.Upon return to the house we quickly cleaned up, piled back on the bus (once again), and headed to Gastons for dinner. After a great meal next to an ocean view we returned home exhausted, sunburnt, and ready for bed. But first, another long, arduous debrief (not so brief).Our wonderful week at Hero Holiday’s Baja house is over and we part with good wishes, awesome memories and close friends.- Mark and Meghan
If you build it they will come. After nailing and hammering, measuring and cutting (and measuring once more) the houses are finally up. It’s amazing how at the beginning of the week we looked at the lumber pile dauntingly and now its a full how- painted, trimmed, nailed, and touched up. Everyone would wake up early in the morning and head to the worksite, some with tired faces and yawning. However, as soon as we see the kids everything changes, for the better. They help us paint their houses and hammer in some nails. To us, it may not seem as a lot, but to them it’s the world! It’s amazing when you think about it, though. T
The next day it was back to work again, play times included, and man oh man did everyone work! Even though we woke up to cloudy skies and light rains (well, light rain in Vancouver BC terms) our spirits were high and we were all excited to finish the houses and do some touch ups. It seemed like every time we turned around more people had showed up to help, whether or not they knew the family or not. The day went by quickly and by the end of it everyone was cleaning up their sites, for the last time. It hasn’t really set in for anyone that tomorrow we’ll go to the site and not have to hammer a nail, cut any wood or paint anymore touch ups. That’s not to say, however, that tomorrow we wont be doing anything! We still have to bring in the tables and chairs we raised money for and put some mattresses on the the bunk beds (and twin bed for the parents) we made fresh today. Lets not forget the showers and bathrooms that were on site when arrived this morning that the families spent all day painting! I guess that’s why tomorrow is called Decoration and Dedication day. At the end of tomorrow we’ll be handing the keys over to the families and they shall officially be theirs. And with that we’ll leave the next day. 
It’s weird that it’s all happened in such a short period of time. It’s not many days for us and we’re all burnt to a crisp but it means the world to those families and that’s all that matters. We all came here to build houses, but we’ve done more. I think, personally, we’ve built them homes- somewhere to grow and live and become the doctors and teachers that they want to be. We’ll all catch up on the sleep we’ve lost and our muscles will heal, our muscles will heal and our burns will fade to tans. In return, they’ll keep the house and together we’ll keep memories. And that’s all life is- memories. None of us will forget this and our only regret is that we didn’t do it sooner.