Day 5: Final day on site and closing celebration

Today was going to be our last day on site.  We had a few tasks to complete before we were done for the week.  These included painting roof tiles with tar to help with waterproofing, tamping down the rubble we had place inside the house, plastering the septic drain and hauling plenty of brick.

We also painted on a layer of tar on to a brick course to create a capillary break, which keeps water from leeching from the soil into the house.

We completed the plastering of the septic system, hauled load upon load of brick closer to the site and completed painting 700 roof tiles.

We were treated to an amazing lunch of chorizo and steak, cooked by the homeowner Julio.

After an amazing lunch, a small siesta was in order.

We then participated in a closing celebration, where the family, volunteers and members of the affiliate had the opportunity to share what this week had meant to them.

Rosanna thanked us for coming out and making such an impact on the progress of her house.  She also spoke of how grateful her and her family were to participate in this experience, meeting the members of the affiliate and our team, and getting to know us during our stay here in Paraguay.

Ken spoke for all of the volunteers, telling the family how much of an honor it was to be able to come and help them accomplish their dream of getting their house completed.  He also spoke of the gratitude we felt towards the affiliate for being able to spend so much time with us and growing that relationship for the future. 

Milena interpreted for another affiliate member, who spoke about how the mission of Habitat is to put God's love into action, and that us coming to help their affiliate build was a sign of that.  She also spoke of looking forward to continuing to strengthening the relationship with our affiliate and was very positive about our combined futures.  

We were presented with certificates for our service in Paraguay, and were also presented with a small gift from the family.  

Nanduti, which means spiderweb in Guarani, is a traditional lace made only in Paraguay.  It has multiple origin stories; the one we were told was about multiple tribes were in competition for a princess.  The one  who came up with the best offering would receive her hand in marriage.  When the mother of one son heard about this, she plucked gray hairs from her head and woven them into this pattern.  While other tribes offered up cows and other gifts, this one won due to it being the most unique.  It is given as a token of affection to others, and is held in very high regard.

The family was also presented with a certificate from HPHPY for participating in our build, and were also given a bible that we all signed for them to keep in their home and as a remembrance of those who came to help build their house.

We wrapped up the day talking with the family and masons one last time, and found out that they should have the house completed within the next 2 weeks.  

It has been such a great experience for all of those involved.  We were blessed with such an amazing team and we look forward to all that the future holds for ourselves and HPHPY

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Day 4

Today was a very eventful day.  We got to lay brick in the actual house, finish off laying brick in the septic tank and finish back filling the rooms with soil.

We took joy in the little things, like this baby chicken;

a sweet moment between grandfather and grand daughter;

and a conversation with Julia's cousin about the typical school day and plans for his future.

We were able to get a lot done on the house as well today, filling in the rooms with rubble so they would soon be able to pour the concrete slabs. We also completed 4 courses of brick on the house and finished filling the house with rubble.

We also were treated to a homemade dinner of green chili by Andy, who spent his morning slaving away over the coal burners.

After our day on site was done, the local affiliate took us on a tour of other Habitat houses they had built in the area.  

This house is their most basic layout; kitchen, 1 bedroom and a bathroom.  Here is the homeowner is telling us about the progress on their house.  They were still waiting on the city to come and allow them to get electric and water to the house, and then with their Christmas bonus they would be able to turn those utilities on and have their daughter and granddaughter move in.

Here is another of their type 1 houses.  This one is not covered in stucco like the other.  We were unable to enter the house, but we did get to take pictures and meet the owner and his son.

Here is the last house we were taken to.  This started out as one of their Type 1 basic designs and the owner expanded to include 2 more bedrooms.  

This house is owned by a locally renowned mariachi, who is quite famous in this part of Paraguay.  His brother lives on the plot behind him.

We had a long, hot and exhausting day, but ended with the opportunity to learn more about the locals and what the typical Paraguay house looks like.  I would like to thank the HPHPY affiliate for taking the time to educate us on what they do.

I close with a picture of the view from that last house.

Dinner at the Arpa Roga

Tonight, we went out to dinner at the local Harp school, Arpa Roga.  The owners are friends of two Coloradan missionaries, Dan and Christie.  They treated us to a dinner of Paraguayan steak and chorizo, appetizers and side dishes.

We were blessed to be treated to a performance during dinner from the owner's son and their top student.

After dinner, their daughter came out and performed for us a traditional Paraguayan dance, the bottle dance.  

After that dance was complete, she got Dan from our group to dance along with her, 

All during the night we were surrounded by amazing music, great food and a truly Paraguayan ambiance.

Day 3, the Rain Cometh

Today started out as a great day, a little cloudy and humid, but another gorgeous day in Paraguay.  We arrived on site to see that the masons had continued working after we had left, and finished more of the foundation.  Our tasks for the day included hauling bricks to the cistern and septic system so they could begin to complete them.  The masons laid the first course of brick in both and then showed us how they wanted it done, and we all took a turn laying some brick.

Hauling dirt for the back fill was still a priority.  We had countless wheelbarrows of dirt hauled these last 3 days.  Here is a picture from day 1 showing what we were working with:

And here are a couple from Day 3:

While we were working, the homeowner Julio came out to talk with us and help us work for the day.  Their daughter, Julia wanted to come and help out as well.

Julio and Rosanna took time to tell us of their plans for the house now and in the coming year.  They are expecting their second child next month, and hope to be moved in by then.  They are also looking to expand the house next year to add 2 bedrooms to it so it can accommodate their growing family.

By lunch time we had made great progress on the bricklaying in the cistern and the septic system.  We were all ready to get the bricklaying completed by the end of the day.  There was general excitement in the air.

The weather on the other hand, had other ideas.  While we were eating our amazing lunch of Paraguayan chicken fried steak and potatoes, the skies opened and we were treated to a deluge.  We were unable to complete the work day, so we went home and got some rest and prepared for the evenings festivities.

Here is a super cute picture to complete the first half of the day: