Fall - Stanstead College

school newsHabitat trip opens hearts and mindsBy Eryn Hessian, teacherIn March three teachers and 11 studentstraveled to Puebla, Mexico to volunteer for10 days with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofitorganization whose goal is to eliminatehousing poverty and homelessness bybuilding homes around the world. The programwe worked with is called GlobalVillage, created especially for teams thatwant to travel to other countries and discovernew communities – usually out-of-thewaycommunities that few travellers ever getto visit.After much preparation, (fundraising forthis event began in November) we werewelcomed with huge smiles and open armsat the Mexico City airport before travelingto Puebla.Our community, Tlacotepec de JoséManzo, El Verde was just outside the city.When we arrived, our new families werewaiting for us. Immediately, we were welcomedinto the community and beganbuilding with Maritza Guitiérrez Salazar andClementina Moreno Flores and their families.Here’s how Maritza remembers ourarrival (through a translation):“At the beginning it was very strange butafter you told me your names I felt very fine,and when you told me you came here tohelp build my house I couldn’t believe it.After that [student Sergio Afif Doring]asked me what my name was. I said‘Maritza,’ and he asked me if I would beupset if he changed my name, and I said‘No,’ and he said ‘Starting today.I’m going to call you“Comadre” and you will call me“Compadre.”’ And that’s howwe started a friendship witheveryone.”Overall we experienced awonder of different things: diggingfoundations, laying a rebarframe, mixing cement, buildingwalls, learning many newSpanish terms.The end result was somethingwe could all be proud of andthat we know the families appreciated.“I want to express to you howgrateful I am,” wroteClementina. “Withoutyour help I wouldn’t havebeen able to have my ownhouse. I know I’ll never beable to pay you back for allthe support you gave us.Those were beautifulmoments, unforgettable. Inever thought people likeyou were so humble andgiving. I thank you andGod for the opportunityof meeting you because itmade us and you morehuman.”Besides building the homes, we exploreda new city, ate new foods and new candy,saw interesting cultural dancing, milkedcows, helped make cheese, rode bumpercars at a festival and shopped at a market.These new experiences were well photographedand documented – but what wehave each taken away from this experienceis something much more than that.Students like Flavia Calvar were touched by the warmth andfriendliness of the village children.Hi-ho, hi-ho, to build a house we go.Hank Chen and friend.More photos of the Habitat for Humanity Mexicotrip are in the Photo Gallery at www.stansteadcollege.com.You can also watch a video of their experienceon YouTube; search words: “Stanstead habitat.”22The Moreno Flores family in front of theirnew home.