|
|
|
WHAT'S NEW
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Building and bonding
|
|
|
A construction novice lends her hands to Habitat for Humanity.
|
|
|
By Sarah Hatten
|
|
|
|
|
Constructing connections
Each day of the build was unique. I never knew which house I would be working on or what would be required of me (mixing cement, putting in window panes, trowelling the floor), but it was amazing to discover that no matter what task was set before me, I was able to learn and complete the job.
Working towards the common goal of building a house supplied the necessary foundation on which real personal connections could be made. I worked closely with different members of the crew, learning proper techniques and sharing our life stories at the same time. Every time a job was completed, the crew and I shared the satisfaction that comes from a job well done and in knowing that because of our work, a child would no longer have to sleep on the dirt.
Greeting Mother Nature
Habitat trips aren't all work and no play, though. Host countries want you to experience their tourism in hopes that you may return someday. Since the trips are generally to poorer countries in more remote areas, you'll likely have the opportunity to discover some of the unseen wonders of the earth. I found Guyana's hidden treasure in the untouched depths of its rain forest.
On the last day of our trip, we chartered a 10-seater plane to take us on an hour-and-a-half long flight into the heart of the Guyanese rain forest. We wanted to see the raw beauty of nature untouched. After landing along the edge of a rugged ravine, we hiked until we found ourselves standing at the top of a 720-foot single-drop waterfall, the second highest in the world. The only people for miles, we dangled our feet over the edge of Kaieteur Falls and sat in awe of nature's splendour and thought about what we had the opportunity to be a part of in the previous six days.
Building more than houses
Beyond the personal connections gained, travelling with Habitat brought an incredible clarity to my life. When I heard families giving thanks for 400-square-foot, concrete, one-room houses, I realized how blessed I am because I don't have to struggle for the basic necessities of life. Since returning from Guyana, I find myself giving thanks for chores such as making my bed because it means I have a warm place to sleep at night and a roof over my head.
I was humbled when I had to prove my worth as a worker, but grew strong as I mixed cement and pushed myself beyond my personal limits. My anxieties about the unknown taught me to open my heart and experience deeper relationships with the people around me. The friendships I made, not only with the locals but with the team as well, are some of the most meaningful I have today. I learned what it means to feel compassion so real that I could not sit idly by when I held the power to make a difference in someone else's life. Seeing those houses go up and knowing I helped to build them provided me with a profound sense of accomplishment. This trip taught me that I did more than just build a house - I helped a family start a new life and built character within myself.
Click here to learn more about Habitat for Humanity and how you can start planning a trip of your own today. Note: You don't have to leave the country to do a build with Habitat, builds also take place in various locations across Canada. Contact your local affiliate to learn more and to get involved.
Page 2 of 2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 more articles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
