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Not ready

Today was the day we have been dreaming of since our arrival.  The energy, the excitement, the anticipation has consumed us. The house is finally complete.  A house that we built for Paulina.  A house that we built for the community and we cannot wait any longer to turn it over.  But wait, a sudden thought hits us.  If we pass over the keys now, we have completed our project.  Our time here is over. We are not yet ready to go home.  We are not yet ready to stop building.  We are not yet ready to stop playing, laughing and smiling with the children.  We are not yet ready to say good-bye to William, Junior, Gustavo, Martin, Spiderman and Carmen. We are not yet ready to say good-bye to our team of “Glamazons”.  A group of ladies we have formed an unbreakable bond with and who are now considered family. 
 
 
If we were home and a real estate agent turned over the keys to a new home owner, it would be a joyous day for everyone.  The real estate agent would get their 5 % on goodness knows how many hundreds of thousands, the seller would be cashing their cheque and the new owners would be so happy and proud to be moving into their new home.  Today, we gave more than joy to a handful of people.  We gave a new home and life to 83 year old Paulina. We gave hope to a whole community – a community of young and old, who only last Friday, were complete strangers to us.
 
 
All 10 of us arrived here thinking that building this house was our goal, our mission, our reason for coming here.  We thought we would wake up each morning with such pride knowing we were one day closer to completing this house for Paulina while adding to the LiveDifferent housing community. But very early on it became about more than just a house.   Little did we know, this project would play a huge part in shaping our thoughts.  It has changed the way in which we act and the things we say and do.  Each day was a journey.  We learned a lot about love, strength, kindness and the gift of giving, never considering the monetary side, just of faith, hope and change.  Pastor Garcia and Sandra attempted to open our eyes to this on our first day but we were too naive to know the real purpose of our journey to their wonderful country.  
 
 
Working so closely with 10 amazing women, we began to share their thoughts, see their strengths, help them with their weaknesses.  This journey would not be complete without recognizing these 8 women: 
To Barb, our “Moufasa”, who has watched over us and given us a perfectly timed smile, word or hug.  
To June, who’s laugh, chatter and reminder to “Wake up June!” gave us a lift whenever we were feeling low.
To Viola, a woman initially of few words (and now not so much…lol) can lift your heart with one simple gesture of love, without needing it returned.
To Michelle, the quiet, driven, not so photogenic lady who always “has your back”.  
To Laurie, the nurturing spirit who is ever patient (Karen’s roomie) and who always comes to life when a child catches her hand.  
To Karen, our “walking zombie”, our fly dope distributor, our chicka who is equally as excited about knowing the recipe for different types of concrete as she is about making the human connection with each community member.  
To Lisa, the master of timing – whether we needed a funny English Harbor West saying (“shined up”) or an uplifting song or nudge, she was always there.  To Jacinta, the creator of “this mess”…lol. To put 10 women together for 10 days knowing that each and every personality would complement the other is no easy feat.  She gave us the opportunity to feel and see what she had previously experienced and we will be forever grateful.  She lives for each and every day.
As for us two, when the monkeys are running the zoo, who knows what can happen?  Can you say “PARTY ALL NIGHT???”  The “Glamazon girls” will continue to lead our warrior pack to whatever adventure they are unsure about tackling. 
 
 “I thought that if I touched this place or feel it, the brokenness inside me might start healing”. 
 
Debbie and Amy – Raising the Roof Volunteers – 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: July 1st, 2013

The little things

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault
 
 
With such poverty and chaos enveloping us this week, it is difficult sometimes to see any positive moments amongst it.  Even with the enthusiasm surrounding the building of Paulina’s house, the items on the metaphorical tick-list that need to be ‘done’ here in the Dominican is endless.  There is such frustration around the helplessness I’ve been feeling and injustices witnessed, that it is hard to imagine there ever being anything “good” found anywhere down here.  
 
 
However, upon arrival at both Arroyo Seco and Nuevo Renacer, we were welcomed like we were family returning home after a long journey.  And, moment by moment, I began to realize, that while there were a lot of “big things” that were not immediately in our control,  there were many “little things”, a few of which I’d like to mention that captured my heart and attention over these last seven days.
 
 
• On tour of Nuevo Renacer, we were welcomed and embraced by Yolanda as though it were HER house we were building, as she knew the purpose of our passing-through.
• On the second day of the build, I was one of the first people off the back of the truck, and received the love and embracing arms of a delighted, smiling four-year-old… I held her for as long as possible, before getting down to work. 
• Seeing the radiating pride and sense of empowerment experienced by the workers as they revealed their expertise and tricks-of-the-trade in the construction process.
• The group of little kids that know the sound of our truck approaching the worksite better than an old dog that recognizes the familiar sound of the family vehicle pulling into the driveway, and how they come out every day onto their front step to wave and chant excitedly “Gringas! Gringas! (loosely translated as foreigners/white people/English-speaking ladies).
• In the middle of the dump, about an hour into sifting through unimaginable conditions, like GeGe, I became excited about the new dump truck entering, to the point he gestured and scolded me in Spanish.  To ensure my understanding, I hushed my voice and said “Oh! Be cool?”   And he responded “Si,” as he did not want to capture the attention of the other workers. 
• Playing basketball with the boys, and trying to keep the game moving as they fight over fouls, travelling, and double-dribbles. 
• How delighted the children are when we remember and use their names [especially if they are tricky names  like Jamaleigha (Ja-me-lay-a) , which took me two days to learn, until I finally linked her to ‘Jamie-Lee’ Curtis so that I could get remotely close to saying her name properly].
• The ‘round the bay’ Garden Parties we have at the end of the work day when the mixing of our group and the community members reminds me of an isotonic solution (for you non-science people, it’s like a perfect mixing of Kool-Aid and water – completely intermingled). 
• Singing happy birthday five times in five different languages!
• Having a two-hour conversation with two ladies through an interpreter that turned her home into a real hen-house, that we likened to an episode of Coronation Street (minus the British accent of course, considering it was two Dominicans and two Newfies)
• Hearing my name chanted by the children today as we boarded the bus “Lisa! Lisa! Lisa! Lisa!”
 
 
While too often, we can become bogged down by the powerlessness and anger we feel, the payoff of those “little moments” remind us of why we are here and what type of lasting impact we can have anywhere if we choose to live in the moment, notice the little things, and focus on connection with others as we keep throwing those starfish we find on the beach back into the ocean.  
 
Lisa ~ Raising the Roof volunteer 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date:

Scaredy Squirrel

 
Have you ever read the book Scaredy Squirrel? I’m a smidge like him. I like schedules.  I’m afraid to ride a rollercoaster. I’m terrified to zip-line. I rarely go over the speed limit and when I’m in the back seat of a car I always go for the middle (because it’s safest in case of a side-impact collision). I’m not much of a risk taker …I guess I could say that I like “both feet on the ground.” Yet, I find myself many miles away from home with a group of 9 other awesome women participating in a LiveDifferent trip to Dominican Republic. I’m riding to work each day in the back of a truck…..yes, that means no seat belt. I guess you could say that I’m totally out of my element.
 
 
So, why am I here?  I’m here for 12 year old Maria who I met yesterday.  This girl spends her days rummaging through a garbage dump to find recyclables, water, food and anything that helps her family survive. When she pointed to my hand I had assumed that she was asking for my watch, but she had no interest in that; she wanted my gloves so that her job of searching through bags of garbage would be easier. Maria, who ran to a garbage truck with excitement the way my children run toward the Christmas tree surrounded with gifts. Maria who lit up when I gave her my rubber boots and begged me to get her another bag of food.  Maria who will never leave my mind and the mention of her name brings tears to my eyes. 
 
 
I am here for Suly. Who has fire inside her. She bites her siblings when they take something from her. She refuses to be out of a game even though she is clearly out. She won’t get in a “fila” (a line), even though I use my firm teacher voice. Suly, who pushes her way to the front of a crowd to get the biggest balloon. Yet, she climbs on my back when I’m least expecting it (and I secretly love it!). She smiles from ear to ear and shows off that her two bottom teeth are missing. Suly, who could take on the world…if only she had a chance.
 
 
I am here for Wendy (Suly’s best friend/enemy). She has attitude of a teenager, but I think she is 5 years old.  She pushes Suly back when necessary and is ready for a fight at the drop of a hat. This girl can carry a bucket of mortar that I can barely lift. She thinks it’s funny that I can’t skip as well as her.  She has trouble pronouncing my name…and the way she says it is the best, so I hope that she doesn’t get it right.
 
 
 
I am here because I believe that every child has a right to opportunities in life. Maria, Suly and Wendy will forever remind me to keep trying to impact children.
Oh! And guess what I’m doing on Friday….ZIP-LINING!
 
Laurie ~ Raising the Roof volunteer 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: June 27th, 2013

When worlds collide

We are very near the border with Haiti, and many impoverished Haitians have made their way across the border to live as illegal immigrants in Dominican Republic. Several hundred of them found their way to an area on the outskirts of La Union Dump where they moved into abandoned shacks that once housed workers of factories that have long since closed. Here they have formed a community and try their best to look out for one another. However, because they are unable to compete with the locals for the scarce jobs that are available to the uneducated and unskilled, these people face an incredible challenge just to survive and they are considered the poorest of the poor in Dominican Republic. 
 
 
Today, instead of going to our construction site, we donned our rubber boots and gloves, and headed to the dump to work alongside these Haitians who survive by sifting daily through the mounds of trash for anything that can be eaten, worn, or turned into cash.
I didn’t sleep last night thinking about what I might be subjected to in the morning, and I had known in in my heart before coming on this mission that this would be the most difficult experience of the whole trip. It turned out to be the most difficult day of my life! Indeed, it was life-changing!
 
As we approached the entrance to the dump in our open air bus on this swelteringly hot morning, the stench of rotten garbage and the swarms of flies were overpowering. But that did not hit me nearly as hard as the sight of the human beings, dozens of them, from toddlers to the very elderly, spread throughout the dump, bent down and rooting through piles of rubbage.
 
 
As our bus came to a stop and we got out, many of them stopped their work to come and greet us. I was immediately surrounded by a group of little children, smiling brightly and reaching out to hug me – right there in the middle of that most unimaginable place! I squeezed them and gave warm smiles back although inside I was in total turmoil. Nothing about this seemed real. Then, one little boy tugged my arm and pointed to a section of the dump, indicating I should go there with him. And then he did the one thing that always warms me like no other feeling when it comes to a child. He slipped his little hand in mine. In an instant, I was flashing to the familiar feel of my grandchildren’s hands in mine, and to us walking in a much different place – a trail in the woods behind my house, an aisle in the toy store, a street in the Magic Kingdom. Yet, here I was holding the hand of this beautiful little boy with the big brown eyes, gorgeous curly hair, and broken flip-flops in the middle of a place to which there is no comparison.  
 
 
I tried to behave normally and not appear as though I was freaking out at the incomprehensibility of this scene. So, we chatted as we walked. He told me his name was Adolpho, and I pointed to myself and said “Barb”. In French, I asked his age, and when he said he was nine years old, the tears that I had been fighting burst forth, and I began to sob, This could be my precious Ethan! Ethan and I could be spending this day, and every day, digging through garbage to help make it through to the next day. I could not imagine such a fate for my grandson. How could I, how could we, be allowing it for this darling little boy? Yet, it was his reality! And so, I knew I had to compose myself and help him fill his bag with plastic bottles that could earn his family 15 pesos – the equivalent of about 40 cents.   On the outside, I shared in his pride as he or I found and salvaged bottle after bottle. On the inside, I raged with anger at the unfairness of it all. And when our bag was full, we shared a high five and took our finds to the family pile. I then led him to our bus where a meal was waiting for anyone with whom we had worked today.  
 
With a warm hug and a big smile, he was on his way, and I turned my attention to helping an elderly lady who at that moment was sifting through a garbage bag filled with used needles, syringes, and medical waste in her bare hands????
 
Barb ~ Raising the Roof volunteer 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date:

Learning from the Locals

We started out the day with sore muscles but with the same unflagging enthusiasm as the previous day, to get the job done. Yesterday was a huge learning curve, as many of us were learning to do things we had never done before. Today, however, we felt like professionals.  While some in the group mixed cement, the rest began the task of sifting the sand in preparation for the smooth coat which will be applied Wednesday. What particularly amazed us today was the energy and agility of 60 year old Martin, a respected local building contractor, who nimbly scaled the 10 ft. heights of the upper levels of the structure and provided directions for our team.  Martin was one of the many locals from this community who we immediately connected with.
 
 
Today we had an opportunity to hang out with some of the local children.  Kelly, our LiveDifferent Team Leader, had brought along some skipping ropes, a basketball, and badminton rackets and encouraged us to take some time to get to know and interact with the kids.  The children are very affectionate and welcomed the attention, especially the younger ones.  In addition to hanging out with the younger kids:  Jacinta, Amy, Debbie and Lisa tore up the court with some of the older local boys in a game of basketball.  Little did they know that they had met their match.  It was a lot of fun and it is easy to become very attached to these beautiful people. 
 
 
One of the most inspiring young people we have met so far would have to be Junior ( Castel Dakid ).  Junior is working with LiveDifferent for the summer as a translator for their projects during the day.  In the afternoon, when we are calling it a day,  Junior continues his studies in the Industrial Engineering Program from 4 o’clock until 10 pm.  If that isn’t challenging enough, originally from Haiti, he is pursuing this in a new language here in the Dominican Republic. But wait for this, Junior speaks four languages all of which he has learned on his own!  With a leader such as this, we are inspired to do more than we ever thought possible.
 
 
 
Viola and Michelle – Raising The Roof Volunteers – 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: June 25th, 2013

The Sisterhood starts the house

 
We started the day with excitement and enthusiasm. We came here with a mission and finally we began the project. Upon arrival at the work site, we had to be taught different aspects of how to build this house. For us this meant we were learning jobs from mixing the motar and cement to brick laying and tying the rebar. We were eager learners and tried our hands at every task. The team that Jacinta put together is amazing. We enjoyed working together as a team and we became more empowered as the day went on. 
 
 
Paulina watched from the side as we built her house and I can only imagine the thoughts running through her head. The children were running around us as we worked and several community members dropped by to give a helping hand. Despite our language barriers we learned how to work side by side. The translators were a great help when it came to certain details and were always eager to chat. Paulina loves to talk and when we engaged in a conversation with her our translators made it possible for us to really connect with her. 
 
 
To realize that we are bringing so much hope to those in poverty is empowering. Not only are we changing the lives of those in poverty, but we are changing our own lives. How can we return home and say that we have not been changed? This trip will change our outlook on so many aspects of our lives. The people here have taught us how to look after each other, to appreciate what you have and above all to be happy. 
 
Today was rewarding, exciting and fun.
 
 
June – Raising the roof volunteer – 2013
 

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: June 24th, 2013

Sisterhood of the Traveling T-shirts

 
It’s late March, I’m supposed to be at a high school gymnasium to coach a basketball game in ten minutes and instead I’m consulting with a graphic designer to ensure our official team t-shirts for our LiveDifferent Hero Holiday project are exactly what we had ordered.   ‘Raising the Roof from the Rock to the Republic’ – yes, that would be us.  Short sleeve, white lettering, black, cotton tees.   And so begins the story of the sisterhood of the traveling t-shirts.
 
 
There are events in everyone’s lives at one point or another where you know your life has taken a turn and probably will never be the quite the same again.  One of those moments for me was back in 2011 when I signed up for my first LiveDifferent Hero Holiday.  It is safe to say the experience certainly lives up to its name – ‘LiveDifferent’, as your life will most likely never be the same again after you have experienced the joy of building a house for a family and a community in need.  The only thing that I can think of that would be better than this would be to share in that joy with nine of your closest friends – so here we are, all the way from the Rock to the Republic. 
 
 
June 23 2013 – Day 1.  Today was absolutely amazing.  We started up the morning with a visit to Pastor Garcia to see first hand how one person can have such a lasting impact on the lives of others.  The Pastor has reformed this tiny rural village into a sanctuary of hope – provided a place of worship, a place to learn and most of all place to move forward into a future with hope.
 
 
The afternoon carried us into the renamed town of Neuvo Renacer where we met the beautiful Ms. Sandra.  Together with LiveDifferent, Sandra has helped flip this impoverished town into a place of new birth – a place where 48 new houses now stand where dilapidated shacks once stood.  Our team had the opportunity to tour the town, see some of the work that has been done to date and meet Paulina, the lady who we will be building for.   What a beautiful spirit.  Our team was so impressed with the genuine feeling of love and joy that seemed to envelope the town despite the deplorable conditions they were faced with each day.
 
 
As I sit and reflect on day one, I feel it is ironic that we will begin work tomorrow in a town that has been renamed the English equivalent of ‘New Birth’.  Perhaps that new existence will be instilled in each of us as we look at our lives throughout this project.  The sisterhood of the traveling t-shirts signed on to give to a people who have so little, and to create change in the lives of others.  I have a funny feeling that we will leave this trip with much more than we came here with and the greatest change we see will be rooted deep within our own souls from this day forward. 
 
 
Toothbrushes for village kids– check.  Box of handmade dresses from the Holyrood Women’s Institute – check.  Towels and bed sheets for host family – check.  When one leaves home on a humanitarian venture blissful thoughts run through our heads on the joy we will bring with all the goods we bring from home to share with our less fortunate sisters.
 
Jacinta ~ Hero Holiday Volunteer 2013
 

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: June 23rd, 2013

A win-win situation!

I was fortunate enough to take part in a hero holiday in Dominican Republic from April 4-13. How I got there with a bunch of westjetters is a story in itself!!!  Up until I received a misdirected phone call I had NO idea who LiveDifferent were, much less what they did. I operate a small convenience store in a very small community in rural Newfoundland with a population of just under 500 people. At the time I received a phone call that was intended for our school (it seems that LiveDifferent was contacting our local school to come do a presentation). While phone to ear and hands vigorously typing on laptop I quickly came to the realization of who and what LiveDifferent really are. I asked the person on the other end of the phone how to register online…and it spiraled from there. I am happy to report that a few months ago LiveDifferent did indeed do a presentation at our local school and I did indeed register and go on the hero holiday as well!!!   It was a win-win situation!
 
 
I have said from day one that ” everything happens for a reason” and YES,  I know that now to be true.  Not only did I meet 30+ fantastic people who completed this journey with me,  I also met hundreds of Dominican and Haitian people as well. I have also said that from the very beginning of this journey that it was like an emotional roller coaster for me. I honestly have no other way to describe it. I cried enough tears while I was there to fill an ocean I’m sure, but at the same time, one huge smile could absorb it all.
 
 
I find it very hard to put into words all the feelings that consumed me while on this journey, and it really doesn’t matter because no amount of words, story telling, or photos could even begin to describe the feelings that one will endure after completing this type of journey. My only regret is that I did not find out about this earlier in my life however that will not stop me from continuing on to help for as long as I can.
 
 
I feel that not only did I go help build houses for five families, I also built life-long friendships with my fellow workers, the Dominican people, and the phenomenal crew of LiveDifferent. I will DEFINITELY go do this again and again and again.  The smiles on every face makes every blister, every tear,  and every sad moment  SO worth it at the end ! There are a lot of problems around the world and yet there is always hope…and I’m feeling so blessed right now that I actually got to be a part of that HOPE and let me tell you it feels Awesome!! They certainly named it right when they named the organization LiveDifferent because anyone ever fortunate enough to participate in this will most certainly  LIVE  DIFFERENT!!
 
Janet – LiveDifferent Hero Holiday Volunteer, Dominican Republic 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: May 30th, 2013

The strength of the Haitian people

Today was a hard, yet inspiring day. We woke up bright and early, at breakfast together and started our trek up the steep hill to the school. After the relief of making it up to the top, and seeing the beautiful view that we would witness while working we were greeted eagerly by all the young Haitian children attending the school. They rushed outside yelling ‘Blons’ which is the name for white people, and shortly after formed a circle around their teachers who led them into the most adorable song and dance. We all took pictures and a few team members even joined in. There were a few children with broken school shoes, frayed socks. One boy I noticed had a badly disfigured foot, so bad he couldn’t walk on the sole of his foot. He walked on the side of it and still managed to wear shoes, walk and kick around a soccer ball like all the other children. He coped with life the way all the other children did, and didn’t let his disability stop him from doing anything he wanted to do.

When we got back to work, I noticed quite a few differences from Haiti to home in Canada. In Haiti when you need some water, you have to send someone all the way down to the well to carry up 5 gallons at a time on top of their heads. In Canada, you would just call in the water truck. The construction worker’s lack of protective gear was alarming. Most of them were slip sliding around in their flip flops every time water got on them during all the cement mixing. None of the workers wore gloves to protect their hands, goggles while smashing rocks, or hard hats for protection.

Seeing our new friends Wesley and Kevinson working so hard shovelling and using the only broken pick axe they could find bought me to tears. I was wearing gloves just to pick up sand and rock filled buckets, immediately passing them to another team members. So after a short while, I couldn’t handle watching them clench their hands in pain anymore. I dug up the extra pair of gloves I had brought along, took off my gloves and gave a glove out to some of the workers. The relief and thankfulness on their faces from such a simple act filled me with such joy. I have formed a friendship with these two boys and I am so thankful to have met them! I have been so moved by everything I was able to witness today and I look forward to more while on this amazing journey in Haiti.

Michaela ~ Haiti Hero Holiday volunteer 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: May 11th, 2013

A Collective Thought on Trees

A very special day today! Three groups of business people came to the home to give back. It all started with a group tour that allowed the donors a chance to look into the lives of these children and inner workings of the home. 

 

Joanna- “It was amazing! After the tour, a business group had all the children, all the donors, and our mighty LiveDifferent team plant trees that grow fruit and vegetables around the home. What was so special to me was that this gift wasn’t just going to be used up. It was something sustainable and long lasting, and will continue to give to this incredible group of kids. My special memory was when one of the kids; Umnud, had planted his tree and had his arms wrapped around it. Clearly enveloped with joy by this bestowal, Umnud reminded me for the one millionth time on this trip how grateful these kids are. Not to mention how much honour they carry with them.”

 

Taylor- “I was overwhelmed by the act of giving. Not just by the children, (how they are with each other and our LiveDifferent team) but also by the donors . Declan, the leader of a company gave a moving speech that inspired me. He spoke about philanthropy and explained that he was a businessman who worked to help others invest money so they were constantly increasing their funds. Refreshingly, he had realized that giving back was the reason he sought out to make so much money. He said, this (the home) and places like it are where his heart is. It moved me to find that this man may have been a businessman, but that it did not define him. He proved to me that stereotypes can be very wrong and that all people can do great things when their heart is really in it!”

 

Jessica- ” I don’t even know where to start. My favourite part was physically planting the trees with kids and the donors. What was so special to me was how invested the kids were in the maintenance of their trees. It was comparable to how a mother would nourish her child. The thrill of actually putting these plants in the ground was obviously something these kids cherished. Ironically, where we come from a lot of kids may not have put so much love and respect into planting a tree. R-Pae, the sweet girl I planted my tree with was immensely involved in the process. She and I planted the tree and by herself she went to get a watering pale. I watched this little girl lug the pale across the court (she would not let me help her) and water each and every tree around her, one by one. I should mention, running back and forth with full water pales. We’ve experienced many acts of kindness by these kids. Today was no different. A gentleman who’d been planting, had dirty hands and R-Pae helped him wash them.”

Isn’t the cycle of giving magnificent? These companies were ecstatic to be in the presence of these remarkable kiddies and visa versa. When they were headed to their truck the kids gave each member a present, a bracelet or necklace they had made, as they doused them with water and smeared wet baby pounder on their faces (a Thai New Year’s tradition!!) Lastly, proceeding this eventful farewell, we surprised the munchkins with a water filled balloon fight! One of the most hilarious events that we took part in all week. The balloons disappeared almost instantaneously but it did not stop there. The kids roared with laughter as they threw the remaining hidden balloons (in their shirts, behind their backs…etc, etc.) at the best targets and then filled buckets with water and dumped them on each member of the LiveDifferent teams head. SO refreshing on such a hot day, and an amazing way to end yet another memorable day at the home. 

 

Sah wah tee kah:) 

 

 

 
 

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: May 10th, 2013