Day 3 – Wake up Call

From Jack's Perspective...

Day three began with an early rise but the team was treated to a delicious breakfast of mashed potatoes, fried cheese, orange juice and omelets to help wake them up. After breakfast, the team assembled into the crammed van led by our new driver “Bam Bam”. With our green shirts on and working gloves in hand, the team was more anxious than ever to get started on the build. The drive to the build site was about 10 minutes and as we unloaded our supplies, we gazed upon what appeared to be a mud dirt pile. At that point, we realized we had our work cut out for us.

Each of us slowly went in to various positions on the build site and began learning our roles. There were “diggers”, (Jack, Jay and Jake) who would have to dig at least 3 feet deep into the trenches that had been made by the engineers. There were “hackers” who had to chew up the tough, dry surfaces to allow the diggers to properly perform. (Jesse-King Hacker) We also had “clearers” who had to move the dirt that the trench diggers dug up over to the “dump site”. (about 10 feet away from the build – Renee, Sarah, Natalie) The last duty was fulfilled by T.J., the “wheel barrel man”, who had to ship al the dirt from the “clearers” to the “dump site”. Bev, Coleen and Michelle were the all around workers who assisted in all of the jobs. (hacking, trench digging, clearing and wheel barreling) With an efficiently working team, progress was apparent after the first few hours. The intense heat from the sun was constant throughout the day. (luckily the engineers set up a tarp for us which gave us shade and a place for water breaks) With the first build day half done, it was lunch time and the team enjoyed some delicious quesadillas to give us enough energy to finish the day strongly. A few hours of tedious, laborious work later, the first day of building was over and the relief on the team’s faces was apparent. (along with all the sweat, sunburns, and blisters) The team was assisted by their translator Oliver, Alberto and Christine on the build throughout the day).

With everyone exhausted, we headed back to the hotel. (everyone a lot more dirty and smelly than when we left 9 hours ago) We were given the option of having a siesta or going for a swim at a local swimming hole. The boys alongside Bev and Coleen opted for the swim while Michelle and the girls relaxed at the hotel until dinner came.

Dinner came by and the entire team was famished from a hard day’s work and were eager to settle their hunger quickly. Which was easy to do with a very good meal served to them: rice, (Renee’s new favourite food), beef, potatoes and carrots and beans. The team then discussed the day’s events and then went to their rooms to relax until the next early morning and exhausting day. The team is very excited to accomplish their end of the week goal and we are right on schedule. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!

The team before we get down and dirty...

The worksite starting at ground level...

Check out Renee's muscolas!!

Bev...fired from water duty...

Robert and the girls...(he doesn't speak a word of english but somehow the girls understand him)

Jake looks a little too comfortable with the cleaver....

Another team photos...this one with the local affiliate.

Nat and Oliver..(our translator)

Jack and Jaysen hard at work in the trenches...

Mother and son bonding on the worksite...