Whats up guys, This is David and Kyle reporting from Montevideo. This trip so far has been unbelievable, cannot believe it has gone by so fast. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude to Shira, and the people of Hillel Uruguay for giving us these opportunities. These last few days have flown by, our apologies for the tardiness. Check back soon for photos of our two day builds, seeing these images is the only way to fully understand the stories we all have.
Last night (3/18), as the sun set, three families of Nuevo Buenos Aires, Uruguay cut the ribbons and entered their new homes that we had all somehow built in two lightning fast days. This raucous second day began at different points for each of the three build teams. Some arrived ahead of schedule with floors already laid, others faced a daunting task of catch-up working in unforgiving conditions. Our entire group was amazing, we could go on for days about these experiences, and hopefully we will when we get back. By the end of the day, there were three new solid roofs that will serve in these families well in the immediate.
This organization Un Techo Para Mi Pais: Uruguay (http://www.untechoparamipais.org.uy/) deserves a minute of your time. These people run an extremely efficient ship with unmatched compassion, enthusiasm, and direction. Our bosses, volunteers themeselves, are some of the most impressive individuals I´ve ever met.
It is impossible to describe the complexity of this area. The poverty has no equal back where we´re from, but these people opened their community to a bunch of crazy gringos with hammers and shovels, and when we left we had people from all over the neighborhood we couldn´t let go.
The best moment for me (david) of the techo para mi pais experience was towards the very end when we were finishing up the final touches on the houses and the new owners were introduced to their homes. The pride I saw in the faces of the fathers in the families was so powerful and it made me feel really happy to know that two fast days of our time and effort really changed their lives. After the experience was over, the only thing I wanted to do was to go back to Nuevo Buenos Aires and build more homes. I mean…as I write this…I want to go and build more homes. I plan on keeping in touch with the people I met from Techo Para Mi Pais so I can return to South or Central America for that matter and build homes to help the slums of latinoamerica.
After finishing the Techo experience we had some reflection time and somehow had enough eneregy to go out to dinner… We didnt eat until 1 1:45. I was so hungry… but whatever, we survived. After our lovely relaxed dinner we wondered over to the local salsa bar and dance club and got a taste of the culture. We had a wonderful time until the wee hours of the morning! but…. …. had to be up at 9:30 am to go to the Jewish community center in Montevideo.
To sum up the trip thus far… I don´t want to leave Uruguay, the culture here is amazing and doing volunteer work is one of the most fulfilling things a person can do!
Until Next Time
-David and Kyle
