Parksville Rotary Team Mexico – Casa Finito!

Three days ago, we began our build and today at noon, we locked the doors until tomorrow when we will set up the new home and present the keys to Policarpio, Augustina, Jennifer and Puol.

This morning was a last minute frenzy of paint touch-ups, finishing cabinets, caulking, and moving the outhouse into place. But then, this should be no surprise – Rotarians are known for “getting er done”!

With an unexpected free afternoon, our intrepid LiveDifferent leader, Steve, took us on a lovely drive through the mountains – on some very narrow roads with a few hairpin turns – to visit La Mision Santa Domingo. It’s an idyllic spot with bouganvillia blooming in colours of magenta, peach, purple and white. The area was once lush and green but with little rain in past years, it is now very dry and desert-like. We visited the cemetery there and Steve explained the great importance of proper burial rites to the Mexican people. Our daily libation was enjoyed under a pepper tree, something none of us had seen before.

And speaking of Steve, this blog would be incomplete if we didn’t mention the joke he played on us all when we arrived here. He told us that we should speak a few words of Spanish and say “con queso”, meaning “see you tomorrow“. We finally clued in the “con queso” actually means “with cheese”, but not before we received many a startled look.

Dinner tonight was at a local taco stand, after which we walked a block or so to the largest candy store in Vicente Guerrero. There were giant pinatas everywhere and every type of candy imaginable!

Our last stop of the night was the compound where the students from the LiveDifferent Academy are staying. There are 17 students in the program right now, and what an amazing group of young people the are! They have come from all parts of Canada and will spend the next 3 months studying social justice issues through hands on experience, learning Spanish, and participating in a house build. The energy in that group of 17-21 year olds is something to behold and leaves no doubt in our minds that they will LiveDifferent and in so doing will be a catalyst to change the world!

We are all so looking forward to the dedication tomorrow. Just as the lives of one family will change, so too have all of our lives changed forever.

Rotary Team Mexico, LiveDifferent Trip, 2014

Rotarians Up On The Roof

After just 3 days of work, we are all amazed at how well the house is coming together. This morning saw all available Rotarians up on the roof of the house, pounding nails and spreading tar. After lunch, the swarm moved into the house in a flurry of painting, building shelves, installing windows and hanging doors. Tomorrow will be a day to finish all the interior fittings before going shopping for furnishings and household goods in preparation for dedication day on Sunday.

Memorable moments from today included:

– From Diana – the sweetest moment of the day was when Policarpo and Augustina looked at their nearly completed home, then looked at each other and smiled, and he reached over and touched her cheek.

– From Louise – her memorable moment was to consign the work shirt she’s worn to the work site each day – dirty and paint stained – to the firepit.

– From those on the ground – the scariest moment was watching the intrepid Rotarians descend from the roof – easier said than done.

From Marlin – the cheekiest moment was when an unnamed Rotarian told her that the reason she didn’t get any paint on her clothes was because she didn’t put any on her brush, an accusation that she vehemently denies!

From Tim – Communication across cultures – Tim spent 45 minutes today laying sheeting on the roof with Pedro who speaks no English, while Tim speaks no Spanish. Yet they worked together in perfect harmony, each understanding exactly what was needed from the other.

– Our cooks, Rocio A. M and Ana continue to outdo themselves on a nightly basis, serving the most sumptuous Mexican delicacies, always welcoming us with beautiful smiles and accommodating our every need. Tonight we had Ceviche which was mucho delicioso!!

From Jane and Angela – the most heartwarming moment of the day – doing a puzzle with Jennifer and Puol who were then joined by Policarpo. Their pride and excitement upon completing something they had never seen before was a touching moment.

The most photographed event of the day had to be that of Augustina and Diana painting the outhouse – for some strange reason, the paparazzi were out in full force!

Rotary Team Mexico

Parksville Rotary in Mexico!

Now everyone get your minds out of the gutter – today was a huge day for Rotary Team Mexico as we now have a house where once stood a bare cement pad.  Amazing teamwork was in evidence throughout the day as the walls were raised, rooms were divided, interior and exterior walls were painted, the roof panels are on, and windows are cut.  We are amazed at what happened today and we can’t wait to see how much we accomplish tomorrow!

We have had so many experiences, as a team and individually, and so our blog will recap the highlights of each team member on each day of this incredible experience.  Here goes:

• Jo Dunn – totally impressed by the children – from being shy and timid when we first met them, they have now warmed up to us and are totally into the experience.  Jennifer is painting like a trooper while Puol entertains us with his antics and high fives.  The love and respect in the family is evident in everything they do, and their anticipation is palpable.

  
   

• Gord Svenson – “Dusty, very dusty.”
   
• Marlin McTavish – putting paint on the backside of a wall with mother Augustina and Jennifer as we shared painting techniques.  I also had a opportunity to use my kindergarten Spanish, as I learned about Augustina’s parents and their life – a chance to explore the language and learn words about thoughts and feelings – not your usual tourist language lesson.
   
• Garry Cox – Trying not to blow away in the wind … seriously, putting up those four walls and seeing the house coming together was an incredible experience.
   
• Massey Matsuda – Observing the amazing wealth of construction expertise and talent among our team and seeing what can be accomplished when a group of seniors put their heads together and their skills into action.
   
• Angela Dadoush – Playing with the children, visiting the school, and realizing how fortunate our children in Canada are … and yet how wonderfully happy these children are despite having very little.
   
• Tim Andres – After the second day of building, I am impressed with the large impact we can have with such a minimal amount of effort and financial contribution.

  
   

• Don Luke – It amazes me that a group who have never done this can get together and build a complete house.  It’s phenomenal and it’s fun!  And the tacos are great!!
   
• Linda Cox – I can’t believe how much sand comes out in the shower at the end of the day!
   
• Louise Wright, Jane Walker, Angela Dadoush & Diana Matsuda – We walked along a dirt road with Jennifer and Puol to the local Grade 1-6 school to meet the students and staff and deliver school supplies. The government has cut off their supply budget so the supplies were greatly appreciated. There were 3 classrooms with 2 grades in each class, around 35 students per room.  The enthusiasm from the students was infectious as they responded to questions, cheered, clapped and loved looking at their pictures on our cameras. We all loved the hugs! Great to see Canadian flags stuck on their lapels and foreheads.
   
• Diane Luke –  glass of wine on the beach at the end of a long hot day!
   
• Dierdre Micheal – Puol teaching me to do the bumping high five, sharing wine with Diane and Louise, and getting drenched by the waves.

  
   

• Diana Matsuda – learning from the LiveDifferent team – observing Steve’s calm and dedication, enjoying breakfast with Carlos, and receiving personal instruction from Isaak on proper nail set-up and painting technique.
   
• Bill Rawlins – The incredible teamwork of this group has left me in awe – seeing those roof panels go up with everyone moving in unison was an amazing experience!

So that’s our day as we saw it – more to follow tomorrow.

– Parksville AM Rotary Club, LiveDifferent Trip, 2014

Parksville AM Rotary Team Mexico

Rotary Team Mexico now has its first day under its belt – tired yet satisfied with a good day’s work, we enjoyed a delicious Mexican meal prepared by the LiveDifferent staff and before long, people started drifting off to an early night.  Dormitory style accommodations are comfortable despite unseasonably warm and humid weather, combined with barking dogs which made sleep elusive for some.

We met our family last night, enjoying pizza and pop with Policarpo, Augustina, Jennifer (aged 9) and Puol (aged 4), and today the building began.  The cement pad had already been poured and following an initial period of mass confusion, everyone settled in to their tasks.  By the end of the day, we had all exterior walls completed, the ceiling framed and a lot of painting done – white and salmon colours chosen by Augustina and Jennifer.  It is so exciting to know that in three more days, the family will have a safe, warm house to live in!

Highlights and memorable moments over the last two days have included:

• A flat tire in Ensenada which was repaired within an hour by a mechanic for a mere 100 pesos or $8. When given 200 pesos, he was delighted while we were impressed with his professionalism and honesty.
   
• Jo Dunn experienced some memorable moments when the outside wall of a latrine collapsed and he partially fell in.
   
• Jane Walker and Angela Dadoush playing “Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes” with the children in English, after which the children taught them in Spanish.

   

LiveDifferent is an amazing organization with a unique philosophy of how to truly LiveDifferent and make a difference in the world.  It is late and there is too much to write about tonight.  More to follow in the next blog.  Suffice it to say that we are working hard and having fun!

Rotary Team Mexico, LiveDifferent Trip, Fall 2014

A Circle in the Dirt, and a Handful of Bottle Caps

For many of us, our childhood was a time spent goofing off with friends. It was a period in which going on adventures and diving into our imaginations replaced the bills, responsibility, and the world of adulthood which surrounded us but remained in our peripherals until we got older. On a LiveDifferent Trip in Mexico, it is not uncommon for our work site to be surrounded by energetic kids waiting to play. In an area in which many are struggling day to day, and poverty can be seen all around, the kids serve as this reminder of our own childhood and the universality of a child’s imaginations and joy for laughter and play.

On a four day build, the hardest part of the day may be spent playing with the queue of smiling kids waiting for piggyback rides, to be spun around, or thrown in the air. You might opt to go start framing or tar the roof because you need a rest! But of course this is a task we embrace, and the smiles and laughter which fill the worksite makes the lower back pain from four kids hanging off you totally worth it.

Unfortunately, not every child is able to enjoy their childhood to the same extent. More than I anticipated when I first came down to Mexico, some of the children we met may have been young, but they carried themselves with the maturity and resolve of a person way ahead of their years. For a variety of reasons and circumstances, these children have to grow up, and grow up fast. When you first meet one of these kids, it stirs up a mixture of emotions. When you see them taking care of their siblings and interacting with us and the other kids around them with such maturity and responsibility it can be very humbling and inspiring. On the other hand, seeing a child who has to shoulder so many responsibilities at such a young age can be difficult.

While down in Mexico, I had the privilege of meeting such a boy. His name is Ernesto. He is the older brother to three adorable sisters, and he is eleven years old. When we first met he had the presence of a parent, but with a circle in the dirt and a handful of bottle caps I saw him become just another energetic kid filled with laughter, and I gained a new friendship I’ll never forget.

I first met Ernesto when we went to share dinner with the family we were about to share our five day adventure with. Immediately you could tell that while the picture on our wall said he was eleven, the boy standing in front of us shaking our hand was a boy ahead of his years. While we all sat in a circle eating pizza and getting to know each other, Ernesto sat on the edge of us observing this new sight. Over the next two days, Ernesto walked around the work site watching us, reviewing the process and the build like a foreman at a worksite.

While other kids got tickled and spun around, he took the hammer we gave him and quietly worked alongside us. When he finished the task he was given, he would give us a quick nod as if to say, “ok, what can I do next?”

I still remember one moment when we were all chasing the kids around trying to catch them as they tried to jump on our backs or tickle our sides, and Ernesto watched over them like a parent at the park, making sure no one got too close to the edge or got hurt if they fell down. He cared for his home and his family, but also for everyone else around him. By the fourth day Ernesto had begun to open up. His strong handshake at every greeting and farewell was replaced with the high five and fist bump we received from the other kids. He showed us how to shoot a slingshot and even had a competition, and smiles and chuckles began to make their way into our daily interactions with him. However, it was when I obtained a few bottle caps that our friendship completely changed.

In Mexico some of the kids play a game with bottle caps. You draw a circle in the dirt while each player “bets” as many bottle caps as they want and everyone else matches them and places them inside the circle. Using another one of your bottle caps, you flick it with your fingers to try and knock as many of the others out of the circle as you can, and you keep the ones you do. When I showed Ernesto my handful of bottle caps I had accumulated, he ran into his house and pulled out his significantly larger collection. With a smirk, he nodded me over to come and play. Something in his face told me I was in trouble. Ever get that feeling that you were about to get taken to school? We played for what felt like hours! I must say, given all we had was bottle caps and a circle in the dirt, it was a lot of fun! We both played like kids, amazed at the good shots made by one another, laughing at the horrible misses, and egging each other on to bet more bottle caps. We even drew a crowd watching us as other volunteers and Ernesto’s family joined in on our laughter over the missed shots, lost wages, or triumphant wins.

It became quite obvious however that there was a reason Ernesto had such a large collection when my handful quickly dwindled down to just two! By the end of the day Ernesto was the new proud owner of what was once my collection of Coca Cola bottle caps. He jokingly poked my pockets as if to see if I had any more to bet, and I would turn out my pockets as he laughed and shook the stockpile he had accumulated in his pocket. I am twenty-two, and he is eleven, but it was on! I promised him I’d be back tomorrow with more bottle caps ready to play, and he smiled and just rubbed his hands together like he was already counting the bottle caps he would add to his pocket.

After rummaging through the recycling bin at our house, I was back with a vengeance on dedication day! When I saw Ernesto standing with his family in front of their house prior to dedication, I looked at him and shook my pocket full of bottle caps and the bright smile on his face quickly turned to a devilish smirk as he rubbed his hands and pulled out a handful from the abundance in his pocket, ready to whoop me once again. As I said before and I am sure he thought it too, once again, it was on! After the dedication and the delicious tamales the family prepared us, I found myself in a familiar spot behind the house, drawing a circle in the dirt and flicking our bottle caps to see who goes first. Even as he finally opened up and we played our game together, as a testament to his mature character even at his young age, Ernesto would give some of the other kids his bottle caps so that they could join in on the fun. It was a very inspiring sight. We spent the rest of the day flicking bottle caps together, game after game, until our fingers got sore. We both won games, and lost a few. When Ernesto would lose a game in one of his first shots and I would gain all the spoils, he would simply laugh at his gaff and joyfully throw a few more in the circle to play again. What started as one or two, quickly turned into three or four bottle caps being thrown into the circle as we jokingly teased one another to bet a few more. More than I’d care to admit, I would throw down four bottle caps in confidence and walk away empty handed and the sound of Ernesto shaking his growing collection behind me. We played for almost the entire time we were there, and we both got our chance to just hangout, have fun, and play like kids. When finally it was time to leave, I walked over to Ernesto and gave him the remainder of my bottle caps and he flashed his big smile we had become accustomed to the last few days and thanked me.

Who would have known that two people could have so much fun with just a handful of bottle caps that otherwise would have found their way to the bottom of our recycling bins if we had been back home? It was almost hard to believe that the boy playing and laughing with me and the other kids was the same boy who stood quietly on the edge watching over us on the first day we met the family. While Ernesto was a very mature boy and carried on his shoulders responsibilities most kids wouldn’t have to face, like all the other children like him, he is still a kid at heart. Despite his mature demeanor and strong presence on the first few days of the build, he was still a young boy and he loved to have fun.

In their circumstances, these kids are made to grow up so fast and it seems almost easy sometimes to forget just how old they really are. However, every child deserves to have the same childhood we are privileged to have, memories, filled with the fun and laughter and play that many of us remember so fondly and hold on to. Playing with Ernesto, getting to know him better and forming a friendship with him was one of the greatest memories I have from my trip. Even though he is half my age, I can still look at him and learn lessons of responsibility and caring for others, while not forgetting how to have fun and enjoy life. This was one of my most precious memories that I have taken home with me from Mexico and as silly as it may sound, I may not have gotten to experience this friendship, have so much fun, or meet such an inspiring and amazing individual, if it wasn’t for a circle in the dirt and a handful of bottle caps.

– Andrew, LiveDifferent Intern, Mexico 2014

Rooftop Reveries

Throughout the course of our lives, we often experience what I usually call “panarama moments,” – a split second where time seems to slow and sound ceases to exist.  These moments tend to stand out in our minds and allow us to fully take in our surroundings, to experience everything that is going on around us in a pure and focused way, and to find a new appreciation for the situation at hand.  

On the second build day of the second public trip in Mexico this summer, I experienced one of those ‘panorama moments’.  A group of us were up on the roof, nailing trim and plywood to the frame.  I stood up from one of the boards I was nailing and for the first time since climbing up there, I took a thorough look at everything around me.  The build site was up on top of a hill and you could see the community of Las Aves for miles, it seemed.  

A dust cloud plundered a cluster of houses in the distance while the wind made my eyes water.  Turning around, I could see over the tarp fence on the property and I watched one girl from the family wash blue paint from her hair in the basin that served as a clothes washer, then walk back towards the house build only to have a cousin smear more on her face and in her hair.  I could see my new friends hammering nails around me and the Mom and Dad of the family carrying paint trays in and out of their new house.  

In that moment, I felt the roof under my feet and knew there was a floor, walls, windows and doors holding it up.  I realized that I was standing on what soon would be a home for a hard working, loving, and well deserving family.

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 I felt a deep sense of joy and anticipation for what we would soon present to these five people – the keys to their new home.  Those keys would represent shelter, hope, safety, and a boost forward for this family.  In that moment in particular I felt a strong connection with the incredible individuals I was lucky enough to work with in the past week.

I took a deep breath and let it all sink in and then I picked my hammer up and returned to work, filled with a refreshed sense of purpose and drive.  Those few seconds felt like a lifetime, and the importance and images of my rooftop realizations are going to come to mind every time I think of my time in Mexico.  

-Abby, LiveDifferent Intern, Mexico 2014

Sunny Sunday Salutations from Baja!

– Christina, LiveDifferent Trip Volunteer – Dayspring, 2014

Roof over my head

Home Will Never Be The Same

This week has definitely been one of ups and downs and many contrasts.  But one thing is for certain, each and every one of our academy girls have embraced this week for all that it’s worth.  Although this whole experience is a simulation, they have shown nothing less than grace, and perseverance.   The end of Day 7 is drawing near, and I’m sure that as soon as they are all back in their comfy, warm house, our girls will be updating their facebook statuses and writing blogs about what this week has meant to them personally.  So for now, here is a small preview of what they have been living and what has been in their hearts and on their minds the last 6 days:

“We worked in the fields again today, picking raspberries once again.  The morning went well, I definitely got better since yesterday.  For lunch we had hard-boiled eggs and pancakes again, and Santi gave us each two burritos!! So great!  After eating, Heather, Meagan, and I talked to a fifteen year old girl named Marta.  She was very sweet.  It’s her week off from school so she was working for the week to bring in some extra money.  She told us that she wanted to become a doctor or a psychologist and asked us what we wanted to be too.”

– Jordyn

“Early in the morning, around 4:00am we were all woken up to the sound of rain.  It was a light rain so Chels and Meagan covered the firewood and brought in the dishes.  We decided to go back to bed since it wasn’t raining very much but we were woken up again at 6:00am.  It was a lot more rain than the first time and our roof started to leak.  There was a good 5 minutes of panic as all of us threw our stuff into bags, trying to keep everything dry.  We also put bowls in the shack where it was leaking and bailed out the roof.  It was a very eventful morning.”

– Taylor

“It was a moonless sky with an amazing infinity of stars.  It got me in the perfect mindset because it was cold and I was secretly dreading clamming.  It was really cold and we were all bundled up.  We had to change into our shorts and T-shirts from our pants and multiple sweaters.  The ground and air were freezing, the water felt warm in comparison.  I actually loved clamming.  I got 5ish clams in one spot and a total of 18 at the other spot.  It’s great because my goal was 5 clams.  I got 1.5 dozens!  So proud.”

– Meagan

“I don’t know how to explain this all to people, if it’s even possible.  And then what to do about it.  What to change or alter in my life.  I think as a sum up, it was hard work but so amazing and fun and totally worth it.  Such a great learning experience.  It really opened my eyes to how others live.  How hard it is, but also how they’re happy.  I saw all the differences but also the similarities.  I can survive a week but couldn’t have without my family (these girls)  and will have such a greater appreciation for all I am blessed with.”

-Bethany

“Trying to budget our money and come up with affordable meals that are filling while also budgeting for daily expenses and surprise payments is tough.  Also, although I am enjoying this week and am determined to get the most of it I can feel my body wearing down as each day passes.  Which is crazy because it’s only been 3 days, nowhere near a lifetime of this.  Shout-out to all of the girls for keeping such positive attitudes and energies and helping make this experience so much better and enjoyable.”

– Tianna

“I worked by myself today which was nice because I had lots of thinking time.  Thought about the fact that this is day 6.  Where did the time go?  I have this insane new found appreciation for so much.  I saved a rock from today for a reminder of this week.  About how thankful I am for food, clothes, a shower etc.  To have the ability to have a good paying job.  I have mixed feelings on the week coming to an end.  I’m going to miss aspects of it.  Like the fact of how generous and caring our community is. We were looking at bread prices at the store, but didn’t buy any and the next thing you know, the store owner shows up asking if they can give us bread.  I love the warmth of the people here. I also love how hardworking we’ve all been this week.  Our spirits were constantly high and we’re always trying our hardest.  I can’t believe we got 17 buckets of rocks today!  We worked hard and all have something to be proud of and to remember.”

– Chelsea

– LiveDifferent Academy Students, Spring 2014

Open Hearts

One month – five groups – and ten families receiving homes.

Coming to Mexico I had never been on a Hero Holiday – and here I was preparing to help lead them! I was both nervous and excited; nervous because I knew what to expect from talking with friends who had been on one, but I knew that it was going to be a much bigger experience than words could explain. I was excited not only to meet the groups and families, but to finally feel the amazing feeling I had heard so much about – the feeling of being a part of something so much bigger than yourself.

Uleimi – this is the name of the three year old girl that was part of the family of the first house build that I helped with, and the little girl that completely stole my heart! I love kids, and I knew working on the build sites that there would be kids to play with, but Uleimi was different.
 

Our first few days of building Uleimi and her younger brother Efrain were shy and were more hesitant to come play with many of us while their older brother Eberic was right there helping and playing. As a day or two passed the two younger ones began to come around – and that is when I found myself with a constant attachment or “appendage” as our house build leader joked. There were times when I would pick Uleimi up and she would just put her head on my shoulder and I could feel her completely relax in my arms; and there were other times when I would be hammering and I could see her watching so I would invite her to come and help me and she would run into my lap and proceed to hammer the nail I had started. Little moments like these are what hold my heart and made this experience so special to me.

Dedication day – the day that we give the family the keys to their new home and the day we have to say goodbye and wish them well with the hopes that we will have the chance to come back and see them again one day. Talking to Georgina, playing with Eberic, Uleimi laughing and smiling, Efrain’s huge smile when we were playing and him finally coming and giving me a hug – all of these moments were running through my head as we share with the family about what they have done for us. We may have built them a house but they have treated us like family and welcomed us into their lives, changing our lives in this process. This was one of the hardest days of the entire trip for me. Now that may seem strange seeing as we built a house in four days but let me tell you, dedication day is draining. Its an amazing day – seeing the family in their new home, the joy on their faces, but it is also tough finding a way to say goodbye. It amazed me how much I loved this family that I had spent 5 days with.
 

The second house build I helped with was a completely different experience than my first one. This dynamic came as a bit of a surprise to me. We were completing the same task but the family and group brought such a different experience. The connections I made with this family were much different than my first, but just as unique and again I fell in love with this family. They were so incredible, and taught me a lot about the importance of family.

Seeing the contrast in both builds that I was able to be a part of showed me how although we may be doing the same things, the connections you make with people and the different things each person can teach you make both experiences completely unalike! No matter how many times you may do something if you go into it with an open mind and an open heart the people you meet will teach you something new every time.
 

We went back and visited the first family I build for just the other day and I got to see Uleimi again. When we got there she was shy again and was hiding behind her mom and I was worried that she didn’t remember me but as we were leaving I opened my arms for her, she came and I scooped her up and was welcomed by a huge embrace. I didn’t have to say anything but she knew how special she was to me. That connection has changed me forever, and saying goodbye this time was even harder than dedication day – but leaving knowing they have a house to sleep in tonight makes it a lot easier.

– Tianna, LiveDifferent Academy Student, Spring 2014