Week 3 in Villamontes: 10 houses underway

I officially kicked my flu and we kicked off week 3 of my time here in Villamontes with a day spent with the first group of families working on the land. One of the core beliefs of Habitat is that the families work side-by-side with volunteers and masons to help build their homes, which gives them a greater sense of community and responsibility for the house.

Not to mention it's a heck of a lot easier to shovel dirt with someone right beside you shovelling away. And my machete skills can't compare to those of any of the Bolivians (even the kids)!

So we worked together in the morning hacking away at roots, raking rubble, burning branches to clear the land. In the afternoon we rented a truck and made a serious dent in the supply of steel in southern Bolivia, as we picked up all the rebar we need for the next group of home.

This may all sound mundane but it translates into something quite exciting: this week we are in process on 10 houses! As of today, we have completed most of the digging of the foundations. The materials (rocks, bricks, sand) are all ready for the walls and cement. And we are working quickly on building all the rebar foundations. My afternoon yesterday was spent building figure 8 knots with wire to secure the rebar together. (For once I can say I hope my wires are crossed!)

Given all the activity, it has been all hands on deck, with a team of 15 people, plus the families involved. As we worked well into the dark last night, unloading materials, it was quiet on the land except for the sound of our movements and sounds of the occasional wild animal.

Walking back with the families along the dirt roads to town, I felt an incredible sense of humbleness, to be here, representing you all and what you are enabling.  Thank you.

More photos of the 10 homes in process and our recent work can be found BY CLICKING HERE!

Saludos, healthy and happy from Villamontes,

naomi