Habitat volunteers lay blocks to build home in Dominican Republic

By Jessica Tuggle

jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY - Cyndy Hazlewood is a volunteer of Indian River County's Habitat for Humanity Women Build program, and is no stranger to a little elbow grease.

Her recent trip to the Dominican Republic, however, added a whole new meaning to what it takes to build a house.

"We had no power tools, except a cement mixer, and we carried around buckets of concrete, so it was really hard work," Ms. Hazlewood said.

Ms. Hazlewood and nine others from around the county participated in a Global Village project with Habitat, traveling to San Juan de la Maguana to begin building a concrete block home for a local bi-vocational pastor, his wife and nephew.

When building homes in the U.S., Habitat volunteers generally are able to sub-contract the concrete portions out, but overseas, the volunteers had to mix, pour and haul their own concrete, Ms. Hazlewood said.

"They have very solid homes there. Not only do they have hurricanes, but they have earthquakes, too," said Andy Bowler, organization president and CEO.

All participants had to pay their own way on the international trips, Mr. Bowler said.

"People from developed countries will go to other countries, like the Dominican Republic, or Romania, which we did a few years ago, and help provide decent homes for families around the globe," Mr. Bowler said.

Sue Croom, leader of the Women Build program, and Samantha Baita, public relations coordinator, agreed the intense labor required for this trip was exhausting, but rewarding.

"The house we were building was right next to their old house," said Ms. Baita.

"There was a stream by the house where they would get their water and wash their clothes, so we had to walk over a narrow footbridge bridge made of old tires, carrying 40-pound buckets of concrete when the wheelbarrow didn't fit," said Ms. Baita.

Cultural differences were quickly made evident when the women volunteers found out the native men were surprised at the amount of work the women accomplished.

"He (the host and interpreter) said that they never imagined that women could do all that work, because you know, over there it takes almost all day to cook a few meals, they don't have time for anything else," Ms. Hazlewood said.

"For me, it was a fascinating insight that they never thought about the women working alongside of the men like that," she said.

Despite the challenges, Ms. Hazlewood said she thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

"It was a good opportunity to travel and it was good to have a greater purpose than just to be a tourist," Ms. Hazlewood said.

"There is a need here, but the need over there is so much greater," said Ms. Croom.

"The mission over there is the same: to provide simple, decent and affordable homes for people. I love helping others, so this is perfect for me," she said.

The team was able to complete the foundation and begin building up the walls of the home. Another team will be able to finish the job and put on a roof, Ms. Baita said.

For more information about Indian River County Habitat for Humanity, visit www.irchabitat.org.