Editor's note: Dinos women's basketball forward Alex Cole is blogging about her experiences during the team's trip to Tijuana, Mexico to build a house for a needy family.
Working with Youth With A Mission, the team will build a house Sept. 1-2, run a basketball clinic for local children on Sept. 3, and visit an orphanage on Sept. 4. They return to Calgary on Sept. 5.
DAY 2 - September 1
We left our base at 8:30 and got to the building site at quarter to 9. The drive in was a bit of a culture shock, most of the houses we drove by were no larger than a standard living room. On top of this most of these homes were built of whatever materials that were available at the time. At first it was hard not to judge their lifestyle. Seeing garbage everywhere, dirt roads and holes in the ground for bathrooms one could be quick to judge; but after spending a few hours with the people, our team came to a realization that love and a positive outlook can guide one through any situation.
We started with a cement square that was previously layed as the foundation, piles of wood and trucks loaded with tools and paint. Before we started the actual build, everyone gathered around the foundation and held hands to say a prayer to bless the home, the family and the safety of all the workers while building. Everyone was given a task for the day; there was a frame building group, people delegated for cutting the wood, a group constructing the roof, as well as a group focused on painting all of our wood.
By the time lunch came around, we had already had the frame in place and walls up. By four o'clock we were three hours ahead of schedule and what had once started as just a cement slab actually resembled a home! The drywall had been completed and there was windows, a door and even a roof! It was amazing to see our teamwork between the Dinos and the Cardona Torres family and what we had created in such a short period of time.
The most rewarding part of the day was getting to know the family and starting to build a relationship with them with the little Spanish that I knew. Even though there is a language barrier, it is amazing how well we could understand each other. Not only were the two girls from the family eager to participate but they brought along their cousins to help as well.
There was a point during the day where we all stood and watched as the childern rolled a tire up and down the hill and were laughing and smiling as if they were having the time of their lives. It is unbelivable how they could embrace the simple things and make the most of it considering their situation. I think everyone could learn a thing or two from these kid as I am sure we can all admit to taking for granted what we as Canadians have been blessed with.
Tomorrow we get to finish the home, I will be in touch!
