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

Two Families, Two Nationalities, One Home

My name is Hannah and I’m an intern in the Dominican Republic this summer. Today was our first work day for public trip #2. The two families we are building for are strong single mothers with beautiful children. The two families will be sharing a duplex. One family is Dominican and the other Haitian.

Today I had the opportunity to speak to the mothers of both families receiving new homes. The first mother I spoke to is Haitian and her name is Yudelca, (you can see her project page here). She has 13 children! With no support economically from any of the fathers, Yudelca said that to make money she cooks and then sells the food. Yudelca has 3 triplets, who were born 2 months pre-mature, and I also was pre-mature myself by 3 months. Yudelca was very surprised when I told her how I too was pre-mature, and seemed to really appreciate me saying how beautiful and healthy her triplets looked. Yudelca is a very caring mother for all her children.

The second mother I had the opportunity to speak to was Rosa, a mother of 3 children, (you can see her project page here). Rosa explained how she works 6 days a week cleaning the house and looking after the kids of another family. A neighbor looks after her youngest daughter while she’s at work. Rosa is a very loving woman, which was clear when she began explaining how unlike herself, many Dominicans would never live next to a Haitian family. Many Dominicans believe that Haitians don’t belong in Dominican Republic because it is not their country of origin, and they become very racist towards Haitians by not wanting to associate with them just because of their heritage. But Rosa doesn’t believe this and says that nationality is not going to change the way she sees another person, and that she loves everyone no matter where they come from. Rosa said that she hasn’t known Yudelca for very long but can tell that she is a beautiful and nice woman, and Rosa is overjoyed to be sharing a duplex with her.

Hearing how these two women of different nationalities can feel love for one another as opposed to racism is a story that will hopefully spread through the community and other parts of Dominican, which can spread awareness and teach others that the mistreatment of Haitians should not happen and that love is a better answer. I hope that other Dominicans begin sharing the same opinions and feelings towards Haitians as Rosa, and that other Dominicans and Haitians can get along as well as Rosa and Yudelca, despite their backgrounds.

I hope that Rosa and Yudelca’s relationship inspires you as much as it inspires me.

Hannah – LiveDifferent Summer Intern, Dominican Republic, 2014

All that we expected and more

So far, our LiveDifferent experience has been all that we had expected and more. Today was our last day working towards building the house, and it was really rewarding seeing it come together. Having the chance to work along side the family during the past five days has been humbling, especially since we get to see first hand how truly grateful they are.

An important part of our trip is something we call ‘’Day in The Life’’. It is a day where we get to spend time with a family, help them with everyday chores, cook a meal, and learn about their struggles and triumphs throughout their lives. We both got the opportunity to take part in this, and met two amazing families that graciously welcomed us into their homes.

What shocked us both was how much poverty affected their everyday living conditions. The furnishing in their home were in disrepair, and not adequate for their growing family. Cleaning and food preparation were also difficult for us to maneuver, as the small kitchen was quite crowded with the very basic amount of appliances and counter space they had. Both these families weren’t blessed with many material possessions; however, they placed importance on ‘’people rather than stuff’’. This quote is proudly written on many of the LiveDifferent t-shirts, and we have learned to understand and love it. 

Tonight we had a special team dinner on the beach, where all the volunteers, interns, and leaders of our work team got the chance to have a fun evening getting to know each other better. Despite the different ages, we we’re surprised at how much we all had in common. The people we met on this trip were all very special, and we are grateful to have been part of such a great group. 

– Joelle and Tori, LiveDifferent Trip Volunteers, Dominican Republic, 2014

Building Strong Bonds

Today was the last house building day of our trip in the Dominican Republic. It was really amazing to see everything come together, but it was sad to think that my time here is almost over. We’ve all worked so hard but had so much fun while doing it, not letting any language barrier stop us from building strong bonds with community members, other workers, and children.

All the kids got happier and happier to see us every day, jumping onto us when we got out of the bus and running after us when we left at the end of the day. It was heartwarming how everyone in the community welcomed us with open arms and appreciated what we were doing for them. Multiple times we were told that we were part of their family and a blessing from God, which really made me realize how much the homes we were building were going to change their lives.

The walls went up on the house almost as fast as the relationships we built grew. It seemed like the entire community was outside of their houses helping out in any way they could, or just dancing along to our music and being a part of the group. It seemed like the hotter it got the harder we worked and the more the determination and the teamwork was evident.

The main community leader and pastor of the church, Sandra, gave a speech to us about her role in the community’s development. Her mother cooked us an amazing meal at lunch for all 40 of us, with all sorts of great community traditional dishes. We all worked ridiculously hard that morning, so that was probably the most I have ever ate at a meal, so it’s a good thing it was delicious!

– Chloe, LiveDifferent Trip Volunteer, Dominican Republic, 2014

Building, Bonding, and Bubble Blowing

Today was an exhilarating first day of our build of Maria and Carlos’ house.   As soon as we arrived on the site, we sprang into action and everyone quickly dug into the many different tasks that needed to be done.  We mixed cement, carried cement blocks, and worked together to lay the blocks and build the walls of the house.   It was truly wonderful to see everyone working so hard and there was a true spirit of determination on everyone’s sweat covered face.  It was teamwork at its finest; everyone was willing to help out wherever and whenever.   To keep our spirits high, we sang, told stories, and took a minute to play with one of the lovely kids who was playing near the build.  By the end of the day, the walls were up and it was an awesome sight to see. 

The thing that truly struck me about today was the wonderful sense of community here.  This is a place where people truly love each other, care for one another, and will do anything to help one another.   Everywhere I went, I was greeted with a smile or a handshake or a hug from complete strangers.   Little children would happily run up to me and want to be picked up.  They were so open and so excited to see us and they showed so much gratitude for what is being done in their community.  It was very heart-warming and overwhelming. 

The highlight of my day was when I got to go and play with the kids on the beach.   Right away, I met Abigail, who came up to me and began speaking in Spanish.  I called on our wonderful translator, Judel, to help me and he said that she wanted to know if I had a camera so that I could take her picture.   My camera was at the build site, so she took my hand and walked with me so that I could take her picture.   We talked and visited and she said that we were “amigas.” It was such a special moment.  I really enjoyed playing with the kids and loved throwing the ball with them and skipping rope.   One little sweetheart just wanted to blow bubbles while he sat on my lap.   It was a truly memorable and wonderful day.   I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow!

– Corinna, LiveDifferent Volunteer, Dominican Republic, 2014

Awareness Tour, more like Awesome Tour!

Addicted to Change

Joining the Boston Pizza Foundation on their annual Hero Holiday trip with LiveDifferent for the second time has been the most gratifying experience I could ever ask for. I came here thinking I knew what to expect because I’ve experienced it before but I was very wrong. Although the trip has a similar structure, I was able to revisit families I met last year, build many new relationships, and connect with the community on a deeper level. Three deserving families received brand new, safe, dry homes. Their smiles, gratitude, and tears of happiness made everything worth it – their lives will never be the same. Each parent will know that their children will sleep in a dry bed with a lock on their front door, and that fills my heart with happiness.

Coming to the work site everyday and seeing the smiles, excitement, and positivity throughout the community has taught me that change is real and that you can do anything you put your mind to. Coming from a society where everyone looks out for their own personal achievement, it is difficult to comprehend that every community member is alongside us, even the contractors and families building these houses for their neighbours. I am truly inspired and humbled to see that they are doing everything they can to change their living conditions and standard of living. Everyone in this community witnesses the progress as they work together with great faith in this process.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to be part of the change I see in the community and in the people of Nuevo Renacer. The personal development and growth experienced throughout this trip will keep me coming back because I have become addicted to the change I have seen in the lives of these deserving families and in myself as I in bark in my future endeavours.

Kristina, Volunteer, LiveDifferent Boston Pizza Trip, 2014