the lead volunteers

The lead volunteers on the work site are Canadians, Al Wigood and Jens Schoenrank. They do the planning and buying, getting ready for us to arrive. They translate the orders from the Honduran "boss" to us and help us to be doing the right things at the right time. They organize our weekend trips too and do all the driving, including up into the mountains on dirt roads so we can see other schools and homes that other groups have built previously.

And then there's Freddy, the boss, the man with the plans all in his head, who works steadily laying block as well as supervising the whole building process.

Day 8 of the build. The classroom and computer room are up to the solara. Next comes the gable ends and then the roof.

The Crew and where they came from

Lindsay, Richard and Laura came from Toronto.

Devon, Garrett a.k.a Ned, Marion, Lis, Charles and I flew from Edmonton





Heather, from Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast stayed the night before with Katie and then they flew from Vancouver on the same flight with Cathy and Frank, from Nanaimo.






Leslie, who lives in Victoria, flew to Calgary to travel with Yvette, who lives in Canmore.

Reflections on building

I´ve just spent two weeks with some old friends, and new, doing something rather unusual--constructing, or rather assisting in the construction of, a school in Central America. We were immersed in a culture very different than our own, but because we working toward a common cause, it didn´t matter really.

The local community really supported this effort--building an additional classroom for their elementary school plus a computer lab room. Their few computers had taken over the principal´s office to the point that there was only a corner for him. While we were there, the walls went up for a 30' x 60' two room building. Within a few weeks, the local tradesmen will finish the metal roof, the electrial connections and tile flooring.

For me, it was a time of reconnecting, and deeper connecting with friends. I hope I can maintain some of these as well as new connections.

and I wonder what it will be like for me when I get home...

Taking Shape

Hi from Copan, Honduras.

The computer lab and classroom are taking shape. The outside and inside walls are up and Monday we will begin on the gables and then the roof. We have sifted sand, made mortar, carried mortar to the block layers, tied rebar, first cutting the wire into the right size pieces. We have carried blocks and carried blocks and carried blocks, sometimes from one place to another and sometimes to the person who is laying the block. We do whatever we can to facilitate the work of the skilled workers. We clean the site and the tools each day before going home for supper. En route we stop for a welcome beer at the local tienda, not a bar, just a little store where we can sit outside on the verandah in the shade.

We are having a good time with the men from the community who are working with us on the site. The foreman is a Honduran, Freddie, and he remembers Jack from some of the "builds" we were on before.

The children are lots of fun and they laugh at our halting Spanish but like it that we try. Some of them work alongside us and they work very hard, much harder than you would expect from such small children.

We are in Copan on our "days off" to visit the famous Mayan ruins here. It is hot and sunny and we are all well. It is a blessing for me to be surrounded by all these people who cared about Jack and who care about me.

There is much more to tell and there will be many pictures to choose from but for now this is it.

Elaine

Thinking of You All!

Hi Elaine, Lindsay, Cathy, Frank, Lis, Heather, Yvette, Leslie, Marion, Katie, Richard, Jens, Charles, Laura, Devon & Garrett,

I hope you all had good trips getting to Honduras. We'll look forward to hearing from you when you have a minute near an internet cafe.

At home in Edmonton, Linda J. lit a candle at Westwood for you all & the work you are doing in memory of Jack.

I also lit a candle for Fred Partington (this memorial project was his idea) & Diane who are along in spirit on this build, and on another mission in California now. Take good care Freddie & Di!!

Light & Love to all,
take care ~
Dawn

Can Hardly Wait

I am Leaving tomorrow for an adventure of a most special kind
I get to help build a tribute to Jack and what he stood for
WITH my MOM
and All kinds of friends some I know some I have yet to meet
all who have been touched changed challenged loved by Jack
agree or disagree he ignited the think sparks
I am honored to be part of keeping them lit

Diane and Fred will be there with us
Building
thanks Fred for thinking and acting big
See you all soon
Lindsay

The Crew - Heather

Heather said...
I leave in around 48 hours for Jacks build. My body feels like it is bursting at the seams with mostly excitement and anticipation and, ok... I'll admit it, some fear. My bags have been packed for days... I can hardly sleep at night. (this is far worse than the excitement of summer camp) I am at a tender age, where I could go many directions in life and currently, I have chosen is SOUTH!

Let's start, at the beginning when I met Jack and Elaine. My mother and I first went to Westwood Unitarian, in Edmonton the winter of 2000. I was thirteen and was starving for someone to take the "male role-model" lead in my life. Among other things, I was struggling with coming out, mental health issues and my parents crappy divorce. It took Jack and I no longer than my first Sunday for him to ask me, (and Just ME!!) out for lunch. I have no idea if Jack knew the impact he was having by just asking me out for lunch. Like I was mature and no longer some kid... he wanted to know who I was without family. Well, needless to say, my mother wasn't exactly thrilled. "Who's JACK!?" she asked in a shocked tone, in the basement of Westwood. But after she met him and Elaine it wasn't long before both our families were good friends, staying up late chatting. I am sad that Jack's and my life only crossed paths for 7 years but given the age difference, I am so thankful it even did.

The day I heard that Jack had died, I cried while I pinned my most favorite and beautiful pare of treasured fairy wings with a dried red rose on my cealing. Every time I lie in bed, I look up at those wings and hope-hope-hope on each shooting star and seeding dandelion wish*wish*wish that someday... Someday, I too can work for justice and empower the people and create positive change while carefully Questioning Everything and speaking ones mind. For better or for worse.

I thank Jack for passing the torch onto me and my generation. I won't let him down.

originally posted: January 14, 2009 2:27 AM as a comment
dawn n. note - i moved it up!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Hi Everyone,
I got onto the computer to pay off the last bills before leaving- so I am distracted. On return I will learn how to add the photos.
Yvette