Home: What I've Learned

House Dedication Ceremony - Our Global Village Team

After arriving home, it took some time to settle back into my routine. It also took time for my body to re-adjust and for my mind to process the emotional journey. Volunteering on a humanitarian trip in a third-world country is challenging and rewarding, but if you are like me, and you allow yourself to feel everything you experience, then re-adjusting to life at home becomes a challenge. The emotions that typically follow an experience like this are known as “reverse culture-shock” and I'm grateful that I've learned to recognise this. For example, while enroute to Canada, during my flight connection in London, I watched shoppers enter the numerous designer stores of “The Queen’s Terminal” and I felt perplexed, dismayed, frustrated and even angry. The world felt…unjust. I also felt an overwhelming urge to shake them all awake, so they would make more conscientious choices. Then, I arrived back in Canada, where my children were just beginning March Break. We had pre-planned a winter getaway and had rented a log cabin in Nova Scotia….but it felt wrong to be having fun and celebrating when I felt so guilty for the very privileged life we lead: the day of skiing, the contents of our fridge, my happy and healthy family, the wood-stove that kept us warm, the fuzzy bath towels, the lovely meal we shared with friends, my dogs who are irresistibly spoiled with affection. I hadn’t anticipated feeling this intense guilt, and I soon realised that fitting back into my life would take time. Habitat for Humanity advises volunteers not to make any life-altering decisions for at least a few months after returning. I get it! As I have experienced this before with previous “re-entries”, I have learned that the best way to relieve the guilt/shame is to identify the areas of your life that you feel are excessive (or those that no longer match your values) and work to change those that affect you on a daily basis...consumption of energy, water, reduction of waste, reevaluating your priorities, redefining quality time, etc. For me, one of the most effective ways to reduce the burden of unjust privilege is to continue to give back. “Habitatitis”...hopelessly addicted to these experiences...yup, that's me. One of the most thrilling post-build moments were my daughter’s words, “Mommy, I can’t wait until I am old enough to go on a Habitat for Humanity build with you!”. Sweet girl...me either.

House Dedication Ceremony - Lele's Grandson

What I have learned, post Lesotho: 

• That for however brief a time, thirteen volunteers, many of them beginning as strangers, can become one team and share an authentic and enriching life experience. In fact, an entire community of volunteers came together on this build and it was beautiful to witness.
• That regardless of the assigned work tasks, the blisters, and no matter how hot the temperature, on any given day, building this home didn’t feel like work.
• That I will continue to process and accept the lessons the journey has brought, most especially the perspective reminders.
• That my comfort zones were challenged, my limitations and weaknesses exposed, but regardless of how tough some days were that I am proud that I was mindful, aware and still brave enough to face them.
• That the sightseeing experiences in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Kruger National Park were more than a dream come true. I have always known my journey included exploring the world, but this gift feels surreal. I only hope that the memories will not fade.
• That capturing the treasured moments with a few megabytes of digital memory was unrealistic…but there was joy in the attempt.
• That once in Lesotho, I realised that I had brought expectations with me based on my previous Global Village experiences. I regret not recognising this sooner as my acceptance of a new experience, rather than a desire for a similar one, would have made certain challenges easier. Now that I am home, I see the lesson.
• That giving is not a completely selfless act...my sentimental tears were often quietly wiped away during this experience, and what I find amazing is that the majority of those tears reflected love, compassion and joy.
• More so than on any other build I learned that where my heart goes, my family goes too. Most of what I experienced didn’t feel real until I was able to share it with them.
• That I’m grateful to each and every star that aligned. I’m sure it took those in both hemispheres to make this happen.

I am in the process of uploading a few of my photos of the build in Roma. Should you be interested in viewing them, click on: Habitat Lesotho - Gratitude Photos

Thank you to everyone that supported this build in Lesotho…you helped build hope! On behalf of Lele and her family, the staff at Habitat for Humanity Lesotho, the community of Roma, our rock'in build team, the staff at Global Village Canada...we all thank you.

Jill

Last Minute Change

Update as of March 03, 2017...

Lele, at her family home.

We have received word that due to unforeseen circumstances our Habitat Lesotho partner family has changed. We have not yet been informed of the reason but we have been provided a summary of the family (below). I expect we'll know more once we arrive in Lesotho.

For this family, life has not been easy. Lele is a forty-two year old, single mother who lives with her two daughters (19 & 11) and her two year-old grandson. Lele has a physical disability which requires her to use a wheelchair, however, at home, she prefers to crawl. The family lives in a thatched-roof home without windows (poor ventilation) and do not have access to proper sanitation. Lele's disability makes accessing her community very difficult as road conditions are poor. As her employment opportunities are limited due to her disability her family relies on social assistance which provides them with approximately $25 cad/month.

Most of our team arrives in Johannesburg tomorrow. We depart for Lesotho early on Sunday (full-day drive) and the build commences on Monday! Looking forward to meeting the family and getting started on this build!

Pre-Boarding Announcement

I have twenty-four hours until departure and Air Canada has just issued a couple spectacular boarding passes. 

Let the adventure commence!   

♥ jp

Let's Build It!

With only one week until departure, the anticipation is definitely building! Our team has received a number of important updates over the last week, some of which are: the addition of a new team member, our anticipated itinerary, confirmation of our accommodation, and finally, the details regarding the family that is in need of a safe, clean and affordable home.

Nerea standing outside of her family home.

First and foremost, I’d like to introduce to you the Habitat for Humanity partner family. Nerea is an 80 year old grandmother who lives in a small village in the Roma Valley, where she cares for three orphaned grandchildren, ages 19, 16 and 12. Their home is a hut, made of mud and stones, with thatch roofing, cracked walls, covered windows (which prevent proper ventilation) and no access to sanitation facilities, all of which increase the family's risk of serious health concerns. Nerea has lost three of her four children and her only surviving child, a daughter, lives in a nearby village (with her husband and child). To support her family, Nerea works to supplement her pension by tending to nearby agricultural fields. She is paid 60 Lesotho Loti ($6 CAD) for two days work and due to a recent drought, she has not been able to earn significant wages. All of her grandchildren attend school, but the education of her eldest grandson is no longer supported by the Ministry of Education (as he has struggled with his academics), so Nerea pays for his school fees in order to support his future.

For more information regarding the Orphaned & Vulnerable Children Project with Habitat for Humanity Lesotho, click here.

Global Village Canada - www.habitatglobalvillage.ca

Our team has not yet been provided with the specific details regarding the build plans, or our build tasks, but I do know that I am eager to help Nerea's family. We expect that the construction will include work relating to concrete blocks and mortar as this was mentioned in previous documents received from HFH Lesotho. Regardless of the type of work, I suspect there will be a number of blissfully dishevelled smiles in my future! The first Canadian GV team of volunteers just returned from Lesotho; should you be interested, see the HFH Lesotho Facebook page for photos. 

Our team has received confirmation of our accommodation while in Lesotho.We will be staying in a modest guesthouse that offers basic, clean, bed & breakfast style accommodation with shared facilities. In 1903, the guest house was established as a pioneering trading post and donkeys are still herded to the store daily, to bring gain for grinding. Horsemen still visit the trading post while cattle, pigs and chickens roam freely. For some reason, I feel like I’m about to travel through time. 

In only a few short days, I’ll be preparing for a 36 hour journey to Southern Africa, covering a flight distance of more than 14,400 km.  I know that I have prepared as best as anyone possibly can. As with previous builds, I also know that this experience is not only going to change the lives of a family in need, it is going to change me. I am so grateful for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to the many adventures, challenges, and precious moments of the journey ahead.   ♥ jp

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."

To support the Habitat for Humanity build in Lesotho, please see My Fundraising Page!

Note: Donations are being accepted until the end of March.

Where Are We Building?

While specific details have been slow to arrive from Habitat for Humanity Lesotho, it has been confirmed that our build team will be based in the Roma Valley, approximately 35 km from the country’s capital city of Maseru.

Roma is a small valley town that was established by missionaries in the 1860s. While the town of Roma is considered to be the educational and spiritual heart of Lesotho, it is primarily an agricultural area surrounded by a barrier of broad, rugged, sandstone mountains. An exciting bit of geological information...I might have an opportunity to walk among dinosaur footprints!

Images of Roma Valley, Lesotho

Packing, Weather & Currency

Preparation Update...

Packing: My Habitat for Humanity T-shirts!

Weather: It’s looking like our build days could be an interesting mix of warm-n-humid with potential for daily thunderstorms. I’ve packed an umbrella and a rain parka...but not my wellies, as I'm hoping I won't need them!

Currency: The South African Rand is quite possibly the most thrilling currency I have ever held in my hand! Exchange rate: 1 CAD = 10.2 ZAR. The equivalent to our "toonie" features Nelson Mandela and an African Elephant! 

Our team is eagerly awaiting specific details regarding the build and partner family...and with only a couple weeks until departure, I should have more information soon!   ♥ jp

To make a financial donation and support the building of a home for a family in need, see:       My Fundraising Page