Returning home

Heelllllooooo!  With a few members already departed on early morning flights there is a flurry of activity cleaning and packing around our accommodations at a church that hosts United Saints Recovery Project. After 4 days of unbelievable effort from the team we can say there were no major injuries on the job site but the minor cuts, bruises, and blisters are countless.

I can confidently say I haven't seen a group of this size mesh as well as we did right from the first introductions on Sunday night and continue to bond over the week. One of the most impressive sights was the sea of purple on Friday, day #4 of our build, which engulfed the house.  As a team, we completed so much work that we impressed our Habitat supervisors Pete and Kelsey, who were awesome!

I really don't think anyone had a full understanding as to what we were about to experience before we arrived, but in true Western form this turned into a trip of a lifetime.

Mark Millar, BSc'04
Board of Directors, The Alumni Association of The University of Western Ontario

Marked with a 'W'

 

I decided to go on Six Degrees New Orleans: Western Builds for many reasons - personal, professional etc.  On this final day, I am reflecting on how I achieved my own goals across the board, and I am also feeling a little emotional as we shut it down.  I am so proud of 20 alumni (with one here in spirit the whole time!) because we were able to make a difference in New Orleans.   

Go Western and congratulations!

It is amazing that of 260,000 alumni world-wide, our team was able to come together and build both a new physical structure and new long-lasting friendships. Our group represented what Western is all about.  Western develops some of the most amazing alumni in the world, and representing our Alumni Association, we gave back to a community in a way that will stand for a long time to come.  ‘Our house’ is not prominently marked with a W in a place that can be seen by all, but we will remember it is there, in the walls of that home.  The W in that home is a part of us now and it represents our the incredible Alumni Association. 

Chris Makuch, BA'93
President of the Alumni Association of The University of Western Ontario
In New Orleans May 6, 2011

The Final Nail

 

It’s Cat writing to tell you about our fourth and final build day. One the one hand, it’s hard to believe the Habitat build is over; on the other hand, it’s hard to believe how much progress we made on the house this week.

During breakfast, there were signs of fatigue setting in as team members discussed their aches and pains. Some complained of unfamiliar thumb pain while others struggled to gain a wakeful demeanor. Regardless, we all loaded on the bus and counted off to make sure the full team was present.

As we pulled up to the worksite, energy definitely rose as everyone was eager to get as much done as possible today. The roof crew was barely on the ground before climbing up to their respective trusses. The siding teams had high hopes to reach the top before day’s end. During the morning, we had a couple of ladies stop by on their drive and ask us about our work and where we were from. They even wanted a photo of us in our matching purple Western Builds shirts.

Everyone worked really hard today, and some team members experienced frustrations– like the siding teams who had to remove some panels when measurements weren’t quite right. As one of those “siders”, it felt like taking two or three steps backwards, but it left us even more driven to do a great job for the new homeowners. A well-deserved shout-out goes to Rebecca and Heather for their incredibly fast siding work on the far wall. Working with only a couple of feet between the house and the neighbour’s fence, they managed to start and finish the work of 4 or 5 people!  

After clean-up, the group excitedly gathered at the front with our Habitat staff, Pete and Kelsey, to take a team photo. The moment was bitter-sweet as the group felt enormous satisfaction for a great week and job well-done, but it was also the moment that signified the end for our team. Six Degrees New Orleans: Western Builds 2011 was coming to an end. Each team member signed over the front doorway to the house… a soon-to-be hidden welcome message from all of us to the homeowners. We also made sure to add a little something to connect the first ever Alumni Western Builds to the program after which it was modeled, Alternative Spring Break, by bringing a nail from the ASB 2011 New Orleans’ build in February. At the suggestion of the team, I borrowed Pete’s (surprisingly heavy) hammer to add the ASB nail to our house along with our signatures. It was an amazing way to end the week with such a fantastic group of Western Alumni.

Build Day #3

I can't count the number of nails we have hammered, but it's a LOT!  From the house wrap to the siding, roof trusses to the roof decking, we have all tackled some part of this project with a lot of power, sweat, passion and even a little frustration from time to time.  As a team, we are working like a well oiled machine.  We showed up this morning, and everyone kicked into gear - right where we left of last night.  It was a beautiful day: lots of sunshine and very little humidity!

At lunch, we took a walk through the neighborhood.  It's pretty amazing how drastic things can be, just from one lot to another.  There are many homes that have been either repaired, or rebuilt entirely.  Then there are other lots that have been cleared and still sit empty.  Finally, there are still many houses that have remained untouched; moss growing from the roof, doors and windows boarded up, lawns that look like a forest, and some that are completely crumbled over into a pile of rubble.  It's like they sit frozen in time.  As we drive from our "apartments" to the build site each day, we drive through side streets and neighborhoods and the reality of just how much hasn't been done is pretty remarkable.  Everyone is so friendly.  The children were on their bikes and scooters, and their parents and families sitting on the balconies watching.  Friendly "hellos" and waiving makes you feel so welcome.

Pete (our Habitat for Humanity project leader) told us that they are the #1 organization in the area for the number of single-family homes in the area.  Each homeowner is able to mortgage their home interest-free for approximately $90,000.  Their down payment is made by contributing 350 hours to a work site (at least 100 of which are on their own home).  This is a bonus for the new owner as well, as they gain valuable knowledge of their home from the ground up, which helps with repairs and maintenance in the long-run.  Right now there are 5 other Habitat homes on the next street over in various stages of building.  While we are only here for 4 days, the assistance we are helping with is greatly appreciated.  I stepped back today to take it all in...we are a strong team, and our ability to work well together at various projects all at once is a scene of hustle and bustle from top to bottom (and various ladders in between!).

We have one more day to go.  It's hard to believe that we will be back home in a couple of days.  More to come tomorrow, with the week-end update!

Charity

Raising the Roof

Today we had our second day working at the build site.  The weather was more cooperative, the day a bit longer (more progress) and the team continuing to mesh even better.

While some of the team worked to install the windows and put up siding around the house, I was up on the top of the house, with several others lifting the trusses to the roof, then raising the trusses into place.  It took us most of the day, but the house is now ready for it’s roof.

It’s quite astonishing to see how in two short days we’ve managed to make serious progress on the house.  The walls are up, the windows in, the trusses completed, some of the trim and siding installed…. It’s amazing how much can get done with so many hands pitching in.

I have a pretty good burn on my neck and an ache in my back, but the results are so obvious and apparent, that it encourages us to keep going.

Justin

 

Build Day #2

 

Greetings from the Habitat Build site in New Orleans! It's Cat writing, one of the co-leads for Western Builds. I'm taking advantage of the lunch break to let readers know how much progress we've made this morning on Day 2 of the build.

We arrived to the site already impressed with the amount of visible progress from Day 1. We learned that the windows had arrived and were just about ready to go in. Right away, part of the group got back to raising the trusses in preparation for the roof construction while others prepped the window frames. Within the first hour, all the trusses were up and windows started going up.

Over the next few hours, the roof crew erected each truss one-by-one. The windows were inserted, leveled and secured. As the morining work wrapped up before lunch, a few of us walked down the street to see a few of the similar builds, which are further along. It was great to see what the finished house will look like.

At lunch, we got a visit from one of the three competing ice cream trucks, who all know the Habitat locations very well!

We're about to get back to work and are looking forward to see how much more we can accomplish this afternoon.

It's only mid-day, so we'll keep you posted on this amazing experience!

Cat Mulvihill, BSc'05

Build Day #1

Today (Tuesday) was our first day on the build site and as I sit in my little bed and reflect with throbbing feet, I realize what a fantastic day it was. Waking up basically at the crack of dawn (okay it was 630am but it felt MUCH earlier) I know we were all extremely excited about what the day was going to entail. Over bagels and coffee we discussed and debated whether we’d be painting, building, gardening or doing some other random construction activity.

After loading our organized bus (which by the way happened to be a limousine this morning because the other, more normal bus, had broken down), we were finally on our way our site. Excitement could be felt in the air by the team as we laughed about the ridiculous bus and continued to speculate about our project status. A 15 min drive to the Upper Ninth Ward, brought us to our home: a 4 walled building complete with no windows or roof and in need of a lot of work (immediately signaling to us that painting would not be our primary job!).

After a brief orientation, our team got to work. We were separated into a number of small groups responsible for various tasks such as hammering (an all day activity: my wrists are sore as I write this blog), sawing wood and organizing nails. However, despite the job, our group dynamics were amazing throughout the day… I think we were all just so pleased to actually be starting what we came here for.

All in all the day our day fantastic: full of sweaty fun. And, despite the cold front (avec rain) that rolled in and out throughout the day, I think it was a complete success. We were all so surprised at how much we had accomplished in one day: I believe we’ll have the roof up by tomorrow! Driving away from the house today (to spend the afternoon in the French Quarter), I think each and every one of us were thinking about tomorrow and what it will bring. How many nails will be hammered? How much of the roof can we build? And what could the house possibly look like by the end of the day!? I guess only tomorrow will tell!

 Rebecca Risberg, HBA'10

 

Exploring N’awlins

Yesterday afternoon our group had the opportunity to split into small groups and take on the heart of this old and intriguing city with a challenge – armed with a few bucks, a map, and a long list of scavenger hunt clues. Being the competitive person that I am, it didn’t take long for my drive to win to kick into high gear, to develop an action plan and hit the cobblestone running. However, we quickly realized that our main goal had nothing to do with snapping photos, or racing around this beautiful city – but to start to form relationships with the relative strangers in our randomly pre-selected groups, and to learn more about the hold that the “crescent city” has over so many.

I had an amazing day with my team! I had the opportunity to get to know three women I had barely had the chance to say more than a few introductory words to previously, and in that afternoon we shared stories, spoke of our lives, share opinions, and through it all found common ground despite varying ages, lifestyles, careers, and degrees. We encountered a number of hilarious obstacles along the way which has proven to be bonding stories for the group for the duration of the week.

Not only did we have the chance to build a relationship with the team, but we really spent the afternoon building a relationship with the city itself. We learned facts, history, and gained some understanding about New Orleans, but more importantly, we met some incredible locals that helped us along the way. These kind spirits shared their love for the city and showed us wonderful hospitality.

With my background in International Development and History, and with all my research into the city, the underlying issues and concerns surrounding the Hurricane Katrina disaster, I thought that I would be quite prepared for this adventure. In addition, this is my second time visiting New Orleans doing post-Katrina volunteer work, so I really came in thinking that I would put in some manual labour and do my good deed for others. I didn’t expect to learn too much – but already three days into our project, I have most certainly been proven wrong.

I have learned that I have a new understanding and respect for the city, for the people, and for the culture that ties them both together so tightly. I really wanted to understand what it was about this geographical area that causes people to have such an unwavering connection to their sense of place. This city, its diverse culture, and the way of life is so intrinsically important to the people who live here – so much so, that despite complete destruction and the threat of potential flooding / storm activity in the future, the people do not want to leave. In fact, in a number of cases, being relocated after the storm to what some have argued to be better accommodations, did not do much to improve the lives of those “refugees”, but rather increased their yearning and desire to return back to New Orleans and rebuild. I am so intrigued by this strong and intense connection to this place. I am starting to get an inkling of why – the culture, the old world vibe, the openness, celebration, sharing and warmth of both the people and spirit, the music and the history all create an incomparable blend that offers something one can’t find anywhere else.

I am very excited to learn more about this city and its people, and to learn more about myself and my perspectives through this service learning adventure. I look forward to building the Habitat home, and to build beyond the hammer and nails. To build even more relationships with the city, with the local community, with our team, and with my Alumni Association… as we continue our Western Builds – Habitat for Humanity project.

Ashley White, BA'05

 

In our own backyard

My name is Justin Philippi, I'm one of the 20 Western Alumni who are taking part in the Western Builds project to New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity. 

I haven't ever taken part in a Habitat build before, so I'm very excited about the challenges we're going to face.   The situation in New Orleans, even 6 years after the devastating hurricane, is still dire.  I studied international development while I was attending western, and we often spoke about the desire and allure of traveling to exotic locales to provide assistance to communities and cultures vastly different from our own, and in economic and social situations the likes of which we couldn't even imagine.  I remember a class in which we were asked about 'the third world in our own backyard'.  The reference was to the state of the first nations reserves throughout Canada, but I feel it applies equally well to many other less advantaged locations right here in North America.  New Orleans seems to me to fit that description to a tee.  It can celebrate a rich history of incredibly hard working people with talents that include incredible musical abilities, a culinary experience and culture as different from surrounding states as Quebec is to Ontario, but which has been subjected to disasters and calamities that strain the tenacity of the human spirit.

As I have been learning about the culture, history and the recent events that have made Habitat For Humanity builds in New Orleans necessary, I have been battling my own prejudices, wondering how it's possible to have let this happen and how 6 years later, the community has still not recovered, but I try to check my judgement with the realization that I have never faced total devastation, and complete loss of all my worldly possessions, and in many cases, my family, friends and community members.  I hope through this experience I can grow as an individual and begin to understand what our partners in New Orleans have gone through.  I know before going, I am truly grateful I have not had to face hardships that compare to theirs.   Perhaps that is why I feel compelled to do what little I can to assist.  If ever I face that hardship, I hope my fellow Canadians and Americans would reach out a helping hand to me.

I hope you enjoy reading the posts throughout our week.  I know we are enjoying posting them, and sharing our trip with you.

Thank-you!

Justin Philippi, BSc'07, BESc'10

Getting ready

Hello!  My name is Charity Nairn, and with less than a week to go, excitement is growing as I double and triple check my packing list for New Orleans!  Work clothes-check!  Sunscreen-check!  Passport-check!  Western gear-DOUBLE check! 

I'm looking forward to meeting the team of fellow purple alumni next Sunday, as we start a week-long adventure.  Joining alongside Habitat for Humanity, our Six Degrees New Orleans: Western Builds team of 20 strong will spend a week in 27+ degree temperatures, hard at work alongside the local team of builders and volunteers. 

For the past couple of months, our young alumni team have been talking with friends, family, and colleagues about this unique opportunity we are about to embark on with strangers (soon to be friends!).  After a second team teleconference call last week, I'm beginning to recognize voices as we coordinate plans to meet at the airport, and reflect on the anticipation and everything we've all been feeling over the past couple of months.

I'm remembering back to getting the email announcing the "Six Degrees New Orleans: Western Builds" registration.  I was visiting family over Christmas and was excited even BEFORE signing up!  Within a couple of days, I made up my mind, submitted my vacation request and the decision was made!  I thought to myself, "what an amazing opportunity to help out in a unique way" that I hadn't imagined myself doing previously.  I've travelled to many places for holidays and personal trips, and New Orleans has always been of interest.  This however combines my passion for helping others, and travel all in one!  I now find it hard to believe that this opportunity is now HERE! 

A week from today we will all be arriving at different times, and coordinating to meet for the first time as a team.  From there, I can only imagine what the week beyond that holds in store!