Habitat for Humanity – Bolivia 28 Jan – 11 Feb 2012

This January/Febuary I spent my time working with Habitat for Humanity in Cochabumba, Bolivia helping to build a home for the Lopez family with a team of 10 from Canada.

Now that I have been home for a few days and have started to reflect more on the trip, I am struck by how special our group of team members was. We came from various walks of life, from all corners of this country, and with vastly different life experiences. Regardless, within hours we gelled as a true team with a common goal. I am left with several positive and life affirming realizations.

First is that a small number of like minded people can and do accomplish amazing things. In our often fragmented and hectic lives we forget the power of a common goal, the sense of accomplishment that comes from working side by side with people who share that goal, and the fundamental desire in each of us to change the world in a positive manner. When we arrived at the work site there was only the barest outline of the house to be constructed. By the time we had to depart, that house had become a reality and was well on its way to becoming a home. I doubt there was one among us who would not have wanted to stay to see that home completed.

 

Second, it was amazing to see how smoothly our team worked together. We had no ‘prim a donas’ or slackers, everyone was equally eager to dig, saw, bend, mix, tote or twist as was needed. Even more impressive to my mind was how people naturally flowed from task to task with little or no direction. A job needed doing and it was done with a smile and laughter. I think this easy camaraderie is part of volunteering, but I was struck by how this was founded in our common goal and strong desire to realize the dream that the Lopez family had worked so long and hard to achieve. Without a doubt this is one of the finest teams I have ever been involved with, and I thank each and every one of you for making this such a rewarding experience. It was a pleasure and inspiration to work with all of you.

I would like to thank everyone who supported this effort by either attending my ‘Yoga for a Cause’ classes or giving a donation to ‘Habitat Canada Bolivia Build 2012’.

Thanks so much, your contribution has made a difference!!!

 

Andrea