by Nicola Walls
2. December 2009 20:59
All good things must come to an end and sadly our build days are now over…
Our last morning saw a hive of activity on all the sites as team GB rushed to complete tasks in hand before we all – UK volunteers, Habitat for Humanity staff and stakeholder families – congregated at Concordia for a communal lunch and farewell gathering.
There was opportunity for everyone to express their thoughts and thanks. From initial scepticism from the local community 2 weeks ago – why on earth would crazy foreigners want to come and work with them, and for nothing! – there was now a growing interest in the work of Habitat for Humanity and a realisation that working together as a ‘team’ seemingly difficult tasks can be made that much easier.
All of the families expressed their thanks to the volunteers and invited then back to La Matanza in the future as their guests with no work required!
All of the families had expressed their thanks on a series of cards cut out in hand shapes presented to each member of the Team GB. And many also wrote individual notes of gratitude.
The whole experience leaves so much more than the physical evidence of our intervention in the 22 de Enero Community – all involved have left with a renewed sense of humanity, and the realisation that, despite geographical and circumstantial differences, we are all not so very different and should assist one another. It has been very humbling to see how people can retain dignity in very difficult circumstances, and the cultural experience has been amazing. I would heartily recommend volunteering to everyone.
See also: Day 12: Farewell with the families in pictures
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