The Last Day
Maria Garcia, who was featured on the cover of the Star's New in Homes & Condos section, was thrilled when I gave her a copy of the paper. She ran around the community showing off her picture.
We leave today and it's raining. But the sun came out yesterday here at Riu Bachata on the north shore of the Dominican Republic. OHBA members and their families took a much-deserved day to relax and enjoy the beach and the pool and the other amenities on offer. As for me, I'm trying to get caught up on some work, but will head to the beach now before 4 p.m. check out. There' was a party tonight – a farewell dinner – and many of the participants let their hair down.
Sunday was a day for farewell, and many tears were shed, as this experience has touched us all. I'll follow-up with some of the participants and let you know exactly how this trip has changed them.
As for me ... I am changed, too. My priorities will be different and, although I already knew it, I am blessed to live in Canada. After witnessing this poverty, where children run through sewage-laden streets in bare feet, where nourishing food is the exception and not the rule, where clean water is privilege and not a right, where in this resort maids work 12-hour days and earn $60 a month, where people do hard manual labour without proper work equipment or shoes, and squatters are currently living on the garbage dump, how can I not love Canada?
So, this is my message to you: Love Canada, try to make a difference in your community and remember how lucky we are to live in Canada.
A few pictures before I leave, but I will be posting a photo blog later this week of some of the amazing people I have met, as well as some feedback from OHBA members on what this trip has meant to them.
Come on back!
Two local girls don gloves to help clean up the beach.
Julani wears one of the builder's hard hats.
Girls watch the dedication ceremony.
Two young build members on the way back to the resort in the back of an open truck.
James Bazely with Annie, an orphan who lives with the pig farmers.
The Toronto Star's Spencer Wynn hams it up with some of the local kids.
Comunity leader Sandra waves a greeting.
Truck driver.
Gale you have captured the essence of this Humanitarian build. What an experience! It has changed my life.
Posted by: Cindy Lloyd | 11/30/2011 at 02:04 PM
This is an amazing chronicle of such a life-altering experience, Gale. The photos of the children are precious. Your time spent in the Dominican Republic is a reminder that all people should be treated with dignity and respect. It is also a wonderful testament to what passionate and caring Canadians can achieve, when banded together, to improve the quality of life of others. I hear your message loud and clear: "Love Canada, try to make a difference in your community and remember how lucky we are to live in Canada."
Posted by: Wendy Fisher | 12/07/2011 at 03:49 PM