Giving Back
If you read last week’s blog, you already know that hard work can pay off. However, there are people all over the world who work hard, have drive AND focus, but no opportunity. We are blessed to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. America has jobs. If you are willing to work, not necessarily at something you are trained in, but if you are willing to think outside the box and try things outside your comfort zone, you CAN find something.
I was introduced to Habitat for Humanity by my friend, Sue, a long-time co-worker and friend. Habitat is a non-for-profit organization that strongly believes everyone deserves decent housing. The premise is to raise money by hosting volunteers to come and literally build houses. The volunteer pays a fee (approx. $1,500), plus airfare to wherever the build is. A large percent of the fee goes directly to Habitat for materials; and a smaller percentage covers food and housing for a week (in hostels or one-star hotels) during the build.
When Sue told me she was doing a build in Poland to help build housing for single moms who were fleeing abusive husbands, I did not even hesitate. I said, “I’m in.” I was very excited and told my oldest daughter, Kendall… and right away she asked, “Can I go too?”
On August 6, we left for Poland for ten days. I had no idea how this trip would totally change my life.
Poland is BEAUTIFUL. The food is beyond delicious. And the residents could not have been any kinder to us. Most spoke great English, making me feel, as Americans, we are very spoiled that everyone speaks OUR language.
In Poland, air conditioning is a LUXURY. We did not have it in our hotel (and the first 3 days were 98 degrees outside, not sure what the oven temperature was inside). The refrigeration is mild. All drinks arrive to the table with no ice in them and basically at room temperature. (Including milk!)
90% of Poland’s population lives in apartments. 10% live in houses. There is wealth and there is low middle class to poor. That’s it. Nothing in between.
Orientation team meeting night before the build began.
When we arrived at the work site, we actually found out we were renovating an old city building into a safe house for these single moms. I was surprised by how physical the work was. We carried heavy bags of cement up stairs.
Ann Marie taping drywall.
We mixed cement. We pounded holes in plaster until our hands blistered. We drilled, we cut drywall, we hung drywall, we taped and we mudded drywall.
Ann Marie & Sue mudding ceiling.
Whatever we were asked to do, we did. Power tools were few and far between, so many tasks that normally are done with drills, were done by hand with hammers and manpower.
Is that Rambo? No, it’s just me. 😉
Our team consisted of 10 Canadians and just the 3 of us Americans. Habitat attracts AMAzing people with one goal in mind: to help others. I was so proud to be working side-by-side with my team.
Toughest Team in Poland!
Working side-by-side with my daughter for the sole purpose of giving someone ELSE a better life is a gift for any mother. If we were struggling at any time, a team member would immediately step in and say, “Can I help you with that?” We laughed with each other, we patted each other on the back and we smiled with the knowledge that we were making a difference in someone’s life.
Ann Marie and Kendall getting dirty!
Some of our handiwork!
We worked for 1 week together, had every meal together. After the build, we had the privilege of visiting Auschwitz as a group. The history of occupied Poland is daunting. Actually BEING in the concentration camp and learning what happened (in much greater detail than our history books) will stay with me forever.
When our work week was over, Habitat hosted a ceremony on the back steps of the building we worked on. Habitat directors made such a big deal out of our coming there and doing our share, making way for the next scheduled group. We were even interviewed by a local TV station.
Ann Marie, Kendall and Adam (habitat director) receiving
certificates for volunteer work on build in Gliwice, Poland.
I had gone to Poland to try to give back in some small way. What I got back… oh my goodness… was a love for a new country; a history lesson I will never forget; and the knowledge that I helped someone (that I will never meet) have a safer life.
Our Habitat 2013 Poland Team
What an experience! I am looking forward to my next build!
If you missed last week’s post about how AMA was born, you can read it here!
Thank You!
I know how hard is for those abused mothers , Thank You in there names !!!