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Category: Builds

A New Extended Family

Amazing is one way to describe today.  In the morning I did the Day in the Life program. Three of us students, along with a teacher and a translator, went to a house in the community to see how they spend their days. We cooked and cleaned and played with the kids. It was a blast! We asked them many questions and, even though there was a language barrier, I still felt so connected to them. They called us their family, we laughed together and for a moment it felt normal to be there laughing with them having a good time.
 
 
When they showed us around the house it was an eye-opening experience.  There were holes in the roof, and their bathroom was covered by a tarp. The mother told us that when it rains sometimes the tarp blows away and it is left uncovered. That left me in shock and I lost for words. Thinking that a place that should be private just could not be, and that she could not do anything about it, was challenging. Her daughter was adorable and she gives the best high fives. The thing that stuck out most to me was when we asked her what he would change about her house if she could. She did not reply at first, and then she said she would like it to be bigger so she could fit all five of her kids. 
 
Today was fantastic; I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings!
 
– Olivia, Carson Graham Volunteer, LiveDifferent 2015

 

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: March 12th, 2015

From the ground up

Building a home from the ground up was enlightening. You could never understand the joy that comes with creating something so profoundly palpable, until you do it with your own hands. When you rise up with the morning sun, put on your soggy work gloves, and hop onto the open back truck, and drive to the work site. The sense of pride you have, despite your aching back. Because with every shovel full of gravel and concrete that you extract from earth, you are painfully aware of how you are breaking ground both literally and figuratively. It’s a good ache. When you see the smiles and hope illuminating the community, you will understand the real joys of life. You will feel yourself overwhelmed by waves of tears as you hand over the keys to a pristine new home. The world really is a beautiful place.

So now I am back at home, in Hamilton, Ontario. I am realizing that I have to find a way to resume things from where I left off before the build. I am forcing myself to go through the dull motions of everyday life. I am sitting in a classroom watching the clock, waiting to go home and check my Facebook or whatever. But now I realize that it doesn’t have to be that way.

Everyday life at home does not have to be this dull and lonely existence. I can LiveDifferent. I have the option to consciously live meaningfully and deliberately. To love selflessly and openly.  I can learn from my experiences on the build. I can make the most of the privileges that I have here in Canada. I can be a global citizen. I can be a strong woman.

And yeah, maybe I can’t just physically pick up a shovel and start building a home from the ground up myself on my street. But what I can do is just try to build myself and the people around me a strong and hopeful community to exist in. Pick up the proverbial shovel, and illuminate the world and everything I am presented with, with nothing but a bold smile- and an open heart.

Because at the end of the day there are two ways of spreading light — to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. And I think I’m about ready to start spreading some light. 

– Jessie, LiveDifferent Volunteer

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: January 21st, 2015

The journey that awakened my soul

“Change yourself, and the world changes”-Big Brother Ray

LiveDifferent and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada got together to deliver the gift of a new life, a gift of positive change, the gift of hope, the gift of laughter and love. We got to build a new home and a boys and girls club in the Dominican. What I experienced on this journey is unforgettable, pure enlightenment, life changing. I experienced the sense of belonging; the community we spend our time in welcomed us so freely and gave us their unconditional love. I was able to deeply appreciate how to live life simply and happy. After being on this trip, after being able to communicate with a new culture and see how other souls live their lives, I realized how ignorant I really was to poverty, and to global injustice. I realized how truly blessed I am for all that I have, especially as a women from Canada having a sense of safety, of privacy, and of freedom-I will never take it for granted.

I realized that the eyes are useless if the mind is blind. We must continue to come together and make change happen. We all have a heartbeat, we all deserve basic human needs. We must all know we are one. One love. We are love.

As the days went on, our bodies became more sore, our clothes more dirty, our minds more open, and our hearts filled with more love and compassion.

I am still having trouble putting my feelings and thoughts into words, I don’t know if they are describable.  the PEOPLE i was privileged enough to meet  have forever made an impact on my life, on my heart.

This was a journey that awakened my soul. 

I am so thankful for this opportunity.

With love and gratitude,

Big Sister Ali

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: January 2nd, 2015

Bienvenidos a Casa – Welcome home!

 
“I have no words.” This is the phrase that was delivered several times in front of a large assembly of WestJetters and community members packed into a small street in Nuevo Renacer. The words were spoken, through tears, by people whose lives changed profoundly as they received the keys to homes that would keep them safe, dry and fill them with pride. The speakers were not alone in shedding tears.
 
 
House dedication day is an intense experience within the already emotional time here for WestJetters. It seemed that the entire community crowded the streets to see dreams come true for eight families. They were there to share the joy, and for many, to share the hope that maybe one day their own home might come. 
 
The recipient families put away the clothes in which they had worked alongside us for the week and donned their very best they owned or could borrow for this special day. Gleeful children ran amongst us and hugged us, climbing into our arms and on our shoulders where they could. This day was a celebration of immense proportions for all of us.
 
One of the homes was built for a family whose father, Gustavo, has worked with LiveDifferent for seven years building homes for other families and dreaming of the day when he might be able to build a home of his own. When his turn came to address the crowd, his words spoke to all our hearts and he called WestJetters his guardian angels. 
 
 
Each family was given the opportunity to speak, and some could not get more than a few sentences out before emotion overcame them, and we heard the phrase again, I have no words. No words to express the gratitude, the change that this home represented for their families and the opportunity to have a dream come true.
 
After the key ceremony, each build team had the opportunity to spend time with the family whose home they had built. The heart-warming and heart-wrenching stories from each team are numerous, including one where three grown men – one WestJetter, one translator and the home owner – were standing quietly in a room together sharing tears of joy and triumph. The entire community shares that sense of triumph. 
 
WestJet and WestJetters, with the help of LiveDifferent and this community, are making a huge impact here. We all felt the support of WestJetters back home and want to give special acknowledgement to those who applied for this trip but were not selected. We will keep our fingers crossed for you for future trips!
 
 
Each of us had our own unique experience here. The impact that this (and every WestJet build) has had on these families and this community is so vast we’ve each felt this impact. Many of us feel that we have received more than we gave. There may in fact be a dollar figure on someone’s desk counting the contribution of WestJet’s community investment in the Dominican Republic, but the sharing of tears, joy and gratitude of the families here is priceless.
 
The WestJet Hero Holiday 2014 team leads

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: October 31st, 2014

Watching something great

 
We have now been here for a week; what a week it has been. When we arrived we had 50 WestJetters, many of who have never met before, and now after just seven short days, new friends and life long memories have been made.
 
When our team first arrived on the worksite I think we were eager to get started but apprehensive at the same time. Many of us have never been a part of something like this or built a house before. Within a few short hours, the team could have been mistaken for a professional crew. 
 
The local contractors have loved the experience just as much as we have. There has been impromptu dance offs, laughs and jokes being thrown around and real genuine connections made. The main contractor on our site is Gustavo and it is for him and his family that the team I am with are building a home for. Seeing him work on his own home and having his other family members on the site help out has been amazing to see. 
 
 
They have also welcomed us into their home as if we were family. Every day after lunch, they have a freshly brewed pot of coffee waiting for our arrival – the perfect treat. Our team has the privilege to meet and work alongside Gustavo’s wife, son, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew and father. This has been an incredible experience for our team. Our team has developed a real relationship with Gustavo’s family and their fellow WestJetters. 
 
This past week I have seen our team go from complete strangers to a team that of family members. In a world where you may not talk to your neighbours for six months at a time, it is incredibly refreshing to see such genuine human connections being formed. We often lose that human touch in the fast-paced world we live in and every now and then, a reminder of the power of connections is needed. I know that in our seven short days, our team has received that beautiful reminder. 
 
Justin Jones, Chief Duty Dispatch

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: October 29th, 2014

Through the difficulties, love, hope, and faith conquer

Today we met Gabriela (aka Gladys), gramma of four grandchildren: Rameidy, Isidro, Keiri, and Polanco. Gladys is 55 years old and has been living in Puerto Plata for 51 years. She has two children, a boy and a girl who are both in their 30s. Gladys has lived in her present home for 19 years and has seen a fair share of flooding and rain coming through the roof into her house. Her children both work and live nearby, but they are unable to have their children live with them and so Gladys is the children’s guardian. 
 
Gladys’s home consists of a small living space with kitchen in the back, separated by a wall to the left where behind you find the two beds to sleep all four of them. There is no electricity, the toilet is cinder blocks about four high with a layer of cement on top with a hole in the centre; to flush there’s a bucket of water with a small bowl that you pour down the hole. Right next to this you find a rack for drying dishes along with the basin to wash clothes. They only get water three times a week to fill their barrel. 
 
The roof of the house consists of remnants of other houses in the neighbourhood that were torn down to be rebuilt. Gladys told us that since WestJet / LiveDifferent started to build houses she has been giving enough material to fix her roof, and that her roof barely leaks now. 
 
 
Gladys showed to us to be vibrant, happy and full of love despite the condition of her home. Her life is dedicated to her grandchildren and to ensuring that she can give them the best upbringing she can, in every aspect. She takes so much pride in her home, with pictures, painted bottles and decorated bottles. Getting ready for Christmas she had little Christmas balls. She’s happy to have a home where she can have her grandchildren with her and she feels very blessed to know that many people care and want to help and for that she’s thankful. She’s so glad to have people visit. 
 
Gladys wanted us to be in her home and was so excited to invite us in. No matter what her home was like, she wanted us to be there with her, to visit, to spend time in her home, to show us her pride and joy (kids’ picture and school achievements). It didn’t matter that we were going to her home to help her clean, cook, do laundry etc. She wanted to visit! Wanted to tell us stories about things she considers amazing in her life, like her kids and grandchildren.
 
Our “day in the life” was very rewarding and an eye opener, not for what is the obvious (living in poverty) but rather as a reminder of how, if you take the time to engage and give all of you, whatever is around you will have no matter because it’s only stuff and people is what matters.
 
– Chantal, Flight Attendant, LiveDifferent Hero Holiday Volunteer, 2014

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: October 28th, 2014

What did you say we are building?

 
Have you ever had that feeling that you’ve known someone for years after you only a few short hours of chatting? What if you could multiply that feeling by 50? What if you also shared with those same 50 people a strong feeling of pride and belonging, thousands of kilometres from home, because you work in the same company? How crazy is that?! Yet that is what we are experiencing on the LiveDifferent build, but it doesn’t end there.
 
Floating in the Caribbean Sea at the end of the day trying to loosen up muscles that are exhausted and stiff from heavy work, I drift among 20 or 30 other WestJetters and listen to snippets of conversation that range in subject from the day’s intense heat to how each of us fits into the large company that is WestJet. It is fascinating and gratifying to hear, over the dinner table, questions like the one I heard tonight: “If I were Gregg Saretsky and I told you I could change one thing that you see as a problem at work, what would you tell me to change?” Of course even more fascinating are the answers.
 
 
We are thrown together in a very emotionally and physically intense situation far removed from our everyday experience of life, and we witness amazing connections and passage of understanding between WestJetters from many departments. Suddenly you see an understanding and empathy for each others’ work as people share issues, insights, knowledge and suggestions as if this were a dedicated team of people put together to breakdown operational roadblocks for WestJet – but we are here to build houses!
 
Apparently houses aren’t the only things we are building here. Everyone knows that we are building knowledge, understanding and insight into the lives of some extremely humble Dominican families, but we will all leave here with knowledge, understanding and insight into WestJet as well. Talk about a win-win scenario! Go WestJet!
 
Chris, First Officer – LiveDifferent Hero Holiday, 2014

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: October 27th, 2014

What a change

I have the privilege to be here with WestJetters from all over the WestJet world and what an amazing experience it has been after just three short days! Today was the first of our build days, which meant we finally got to get into the community and get to work. This is my second WestJet Hero Holiday and as a team lead, I have been super stoked for this day for many months. 
 
On the drive into the community this morning, I took in all the familiar sights and sounds. I can’t believe the time had finally come to get to work. As we rode into the community there was a massive sense of nostalgia; moto taxis buzzing by, street vendors selling just about anything, ongoing construction projects and dozens of children waiving and screaming gringos! We were finally here. 
 
 
Once we arrived at the worksite it was both awesome and sobering. As I walked around to see what has been done in the last couple years, I was completely blown away. Such amazing and meaningful change has taken place since my initial trip in 2012. So many new homes and many of the roads that were nothing more than rock and gravel have now started to be paved. What once was one pole with dozens of wires feeding off of it for illegal electricity has now been replaced by a legitimate source of power, and community members that I once saw in some of the worst conditions were now sitting in front of a brightly-coloured concrete brick home laughing and chatting with others in the community. Simply amazing.
 
 
The people of Nuevo Renacer are a strong and resilient group. LiveDifferent has made a long-lasting commitment to this community and with the continued support of WestJet and LiveDifferent’s vision of meaningful and lifelong change; I am convinced that one day this will be a community that people will boast to be a part of. 
 
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world” – this is a quote that has stuck with me for many years and after seeing the meaningful change that has happened over the last couple years, it is a quote I can say that absolutely holds true.
 
Justin, Chief Duty Dispatch, LiveDifferent Hero Holiday 2014

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: October 25th, 2014

I am here

Today was full. Full of new vistas, new friends and new bug bites. The sun was hot and the roads were bumpy. Our group had the opportunity to visit two LiveDifferent communities. We met inspirational visionaries, colorful characters and the families who will be forever changed by a safe home.
 
Why am I here? Why are you here? This was asked by an excited, joyful, smiling from ear-to-ear single mother of three. I don’t recall the exact words that came from my mouth but I know what was in my heart.
 
I am here because I can.
 
I am here because my heart is full of love, an opportunity was presented and it whispered to my heart and I listened. I am here because someone before me had a vision which whispered to his heart and he had the courage to do something about the whisper. I am here because others believed in me, supported me and my desire to serve others. I am here because I believe in the human spirit, the strength of we and the power of love.
 
 
Today, a beautiful courageous woman filed with joy and hope asked me ‘Why are you here?’ And my heart leapt and said “I am blessed beyond measure and it is my privilege to share my blessings and joy with you”.
 
That is why I am here. Thanks to everyone who helped me and all the WestJetters participate in this amazing opportunity.
 
Tracey, Quality Mentor, LiveDifferent Hero Holiday, 2014

Author: LiveDifferent

Date:

I’m collecting hugs

 
Wow; what an absolutely amazing day. The excitement was high and eyes did not stay dry! Yes, the trip has officially begun. Today, 50 WestJetters made the trip to Nuevo Renancer to meet our eight families who we have the privilege to build five homes for. One of these homes is a duplex and the other a triplex. 
 
We arrived to the site with the warmest welcome I have ever received in my life. As our trucks pulled up, there were around 60 people from the community awaiting our arrival. They started cheering and clapping. As we got off the bus, the women in the community hugged every one of us. And I mean a real true genuine hug – and the tears began. 
 
 
First, we then divided into five groups with ten participants in each. My group (group three) went to the area where we will be building our house. The new owner, Dorka was in tears the whole time talking to us. She is a 62 year old woman who has been living in extreme poverty. Every time it rains her house leaks. There is no lock on the front door, planks of wood just randomly nailed onto the house for protection and holes everywhere. I could go on with the details but I am proud to say this is now the past and in one week, Dorka will be unlocking the door to her newly built home. I just can’t wait. Her son and daughter who live with her were also so excited.
 
We then took a tour of the rest of the community. There are still many homes that need to be replaced. But in time, all these houses will be replaced. I was on the first WestJet Holiday Hero in April 2012 and I knew without a doubt, this whole community would have a complete facelift within the next few years because of WestJet and Live Different. I could not believe the transformation in just two and a half years. Seeing the work we have done in this community today gave me nothing but hope for these incredible families who deserve more in life that what they have.
 
 
I was so fortunate to have reunited with the family I built for back in spring 2012. Without any exaggeration, I walked around a corner and the mom of the family looked at me, jumped up off the step she was sitting on and ran to me to hug me. She invited me into her home right away so she could show off how her family had decorated it. I could not believe she remembered me after two and a half years as there were so many of us at the time. I realized in that moment that I could guarantee that these families would remember every solitary WestJetter that helped them build their dream homes. The families are just so grateful for everything we have done. 
 
I know the families in the community look at us as the ones who helped them changed their lives and give them so much. However, I feel it is totally opposite. This whole experience will change all of our lives forever as these families and the community give US so much in return. This is the perfect example of how two different worlds come together to make change!
 
Jenanne, CSA, LiveDifferent Hero Holiday 2014

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: