Habitat for Humanity

This year, we worked in a small indigenous community called Candelaria, roughly a one-hour drive from San Cristobal de las Casas (the old city in Chiapas). Spanish was the second language spoken in the community where Tzotzil (a Mayan language) was widely spoken. The community was a 45-minute drive from the main road around hills and through forests. It was common to be stopped in the middle of the road by a flock of sheep or a family of chickens. Every day we were greeted by smiling and, at times, puzzled faces saying “Buenas Dias!” To say the least, everyone was very interested in us!

We helped build two houses. Maria is the owner of one of the houses. She is a widow with five children. She only spoke Tzotzil. Communication with Maria proved to be difficult at times. However, Eryn’s group (Mihwa, Chelsea and Zouha) did so with open hearts and smiling eyes. The house was half finished when Eryn’s group started work there. The only thing left to do on Maria’s house now is the concrete floor. Yeah!

My group (Max, Isabella, Shinai and Steph) worked on Fidel and Matilde’s house. They have two children. We started with nothing and managed to have the walls up before we left. There is still lots of work to do.

Both families will now be able to sleep in a warmer and more sanitary house (with concrete floors and ceilings, instead of a dirt floor and corrugated zinc roof) because of Habitat for Humanity’s work.

This proved to be an educational trip for all those involved. The students feel a powerful sense of accomplishment! They learned so much from our community members who were so poor but at the same time had so much to give. In the end, the community was comfortable enough to share their culture with us; they dressed Shinai in their cultural dress and braided her hair too! Our last day together was specifically touching as we gathered together to say goodbye.

I will leave you with the last image on our drive out of the community: An older woman in her late sixties barefoot, carrying a load of firewood on her head, with a lamb in one hand and her weaving materials in another!  What a place!