The day began at 7am. The breakfast was the typical- kosher carbs, bananas and fake coffee. However, it was all we needed to energize ourselves for what proved to be the most remarkable day yet!

As we (Shana and Lani) sit here in this 6 by 3 foot box of a computer room in the lobby of our far too posh hotel, we feel confident in saying that this day was unlike any that us ASB Trojans have ever experienced before. We hit the road at 8am, our collective group of 30 (not including our AMAZINGLY ENTHUSIASTIC Hillel Uruguay hosts and the guides from the NGO we´re working with- A Roof For Uruguay). After a few stops to pick up food and materials for the day, we arrived in ¨New Buenos Aires¨ the settlement-like shantitown where we remained until the sun began to set.

Attempting to put the day´s experience into words is challenging…but we´re going to give it a shot. Logistically speaking, our time was spent in three groups building the foundation of houses for three different families within the community. Each group was led by 2 Uruguayan volunteers who were there to help motivate and guide us through the physically arduous task of breaking through literally everything from cement, garbage, feces, mud and tree roots in order to place 18 wooden pillars in the ground as the base for the floor of the home. The sun was hot and the work was intense, but the motivation of being there working side by side with the families for whom we were building was a powerful inspiration.

We (Shana and Lani) had the privilage to step away from physically building the house for a bit in order to emotionally and spiritually build a strong connection with the mother of one family, Lillian, on our walk to pick up the BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN at school. For us, this was when the day went from meaningful to life-changing. Having this opportunity to connect with Lillan, her children Lucas and Carla (and their five cousins) allowed us to relate to them on a fundamental human level- far beyond the mere general top-down form of volunteer or community work. The entire day, from then on, allowed us to enjoy this powerful experience of not just providing a new improved home for unknown faces but working with a loving, laughing family we began to know as friends. We shifted between hammering, digging and measuring the home to tickling, giggling and conversing with the members of this horribly impovershed community. The smiles were contagious. The appreciation on both sides was evident. The experience as a whole is truly one that we will never forget.

The best thing is that we get to go back tomorrow!!!!!!! It´s going to be hard to leave at the end of the day…today on our way to the bus, we were accompanied by masses of smiling, playful children of all ages so happy to have interacted with us. Finding a way to remain connected with them after this time will be essential given the connections we´ve already made after just one day.

More updates to come… don´t forget to be greatful

Peace, Love and Roofs,

Shana and Lani