Our Blog: Footprints

Day 12 November 17th And Then They Were Done

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Published: 18 November 2016

A bittersweet day at the worksite knowing we would soon be leaving our Guatemalan brothers behind.  We completed tasks of sifting sand, hauling buckets, piling cinder blocks, filling mortar between cinder blocks but Randy and Linsay couldn't keep away from painting detail!

Work continued on the second floor walls, the courtyard enclosure plus a big tidy up was done on the site in general.  Morning work halted, however, when we smelled the aromas of Fernando's lunch.  He treated us to fresh-made guacamole, frijoles and tostadas.  A bonus surprise, last year's interpreter Cesar came to the site with his mom, dad and fellow interpreter, Melissa.  Cesar's family brought us a huge pot full of fruit salad and a fabulous local drink called Jamica.

After lunch the photo shoot began.  Everyone pulled out their phones and began to take pictures.  It became very apparent all wanted to ensure they had photos to keep the memories and people close.  We all wanted to take photos in front of Trina's amazing mural.

We all headed outside and began the process of putting our handprints on the bodega wall.  Rita Doppenberg had the great idea of having all contributors leave their mark and what a fitting way to do so!  We painted our hands, then pressed our palms to the walls.  Last, we added our names.  The result was a very colourful and cheerful focal point!

Trina's sign for the centre was unveiled plus we took group shots in the inner courtyard to show the progress that was made since day one.  With final hugs all around, our Canadian team left the site and a piece of ourselves behind with our Guatemalan brothers.

The Doppenbergs had one final outing for us.  We left the worksite at 2:00pm and drove out en masse to Vidal's Isla da Fantasia.  We relaxed around the pool even though we were dealing with the coolest, cloudiest day since we arrived.  It didn't dampen anyone's spirits though.  We enjoyed our final time together including a sit down dinner prepared by Vidal's wife.  We did our final session of highs and lows.  Geoff was the final speaker and addressed each person individually.  He saved his final thoughts for Craig and Trina and by the time he was done there was not a dry eye in the house including his own.  It was a fitting final night where the emotions of two weeks were shared.  While the Doppenbergs thanked our crew, we all know we are the fortunate ones to have been able to contribute to the better world they are building.  Amamos a Guatemala! 

Day 11 November 16th Can We Stay A While Longer

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Published: 17 November 2016

The worksite today had a special hum all day long with activity happening in so many areas. The final columns of rebar were tied and used on the second floor as well as the courtyard enclosure.  The stairs to the second floor came in very handy as buckets of dirt, sand, rocks and cement were hauled up to build walls.

Meanwhile on the first floor, painting continued.  Becky finalized a murale, while Randy, Gord, Geoff and Linsay couldn't get enough of blue paint and slapped it on pretty much every surface of the bodega.  The outcome was a bright STIMMA blue as far as the eye can see!

Workers got down in ditches to tie rebar and finally to pour cement.  The same process was happening on the second floor and the walls inched higher in the sky.  Trina continued on with her beautiful mural and veryone popped into her room when they wanted a break and rest their eyes on something magnificent.  As well, her sign for the school is ready to unveil.

The lunchtime basketball game  happened and there was even a water fight and wrestling match.  What Joey lacked in hoop skills he more than made up for in wrestlying beating Marlon three matches in a row!  The group found time to try to converse with one anothr using sign language; slow talk and gestures.  By the end of the day, there was a sadness knowing tomorrow is our last day together.

Day Ten November 15th When It All Comes Together

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Published: 16 November 2016

We enjoyed the cloud cover throughout the morning which helped us deal with the 27-degree weather.  The worksite was buzzing with lots of activity.  Becky spent a lot of the day supplying the rebar team with metal rings necessary to put columns together.  Sometimes there's a downside to being too good at your job!

While the rebar team was able to stay out of the sun, the team laying down footings and columns were in the heat.  Footings were poured today, rocks moved and columns erected to move along the wall that will enclose the school's courtyard.

Meanwhile, the second floor was garnering lots of attention.  The goal was to start putting up rows of cinder blocks which would become walls of the second floor offices.  Cinder blocks were hauled up a ladder, concrete was mixed on the roof and rows of block were laid.  All of this under the hot sun but with lots of enthusiasm!

Vic continued his good works both at the worksite and with the workers.  Today, he showed up with a bag of brand new shoes for each of the local workers who showed their appreciation with handshakes and hugs.  All around the worksite, everyone was busy helping out wherever necessary.  A lot of good will, good work and good feeling on this Tuesday.