Un Techo Para Chile

Hola a todos!

I am very eager to tell you all about my weekend! It was incredible and you probably won't believe it at first :)

On Thursday afternoon I received an email saying they were accepting volunteers for this past weekends salida (literally "exit" but here it means trip) with Un Techo Para Chile, which is virtually this country's version of Habitat for Humanity. We had until Thurs afternoon to respond to this very vague email, and I had been telling mama how much I had wanted to go South to help with the earthquake aftermath. I called my friend really quick and we replied to the email not knowing if it was even too late or not to sign up. But, I got my confirmation around midnight Thursday and that was it!! I had to be at Parque O'Higgins in Santiago by 7pm Friday, which meant leaving Vina at 4!!!Hillary and I knew nothing of what it would entail or how to get there, but it all worked out.

So on Friday I quickly packed some things, which as it turns out I didn't really need, and got on the bus to Santiago! Hillary and I managed not to get lost navigating the subway of Santiago and actually got there early. Too bad we didn't leave until around 10pm, but oh well. There were no fewer than 50 buses and probably about 20 locations where people were going. As it turns out, this past weekend was one of the largest Salidas they have had. There is a goal to build 20,000 of these little shelter houses before the upcoming rain season. Hillary and I were assigned Villa Alegre which is in the 7th region, about 5 or so hours south of Santiago. We got there at about 3am and immediately went to sleep. We stayed at a school and slept in classrooms. However, like I've told you all trusty followers before, heat is hard to come by. We slept on freezing linoleum floors in freezing temperatures.

On Saturday they woke us at 7 (there were about 50 people in my group)and we had a quick breakfast then divided into cuadrillas (building groups). There were 5 people in every group including the one in charge. My jefa (boss) was Judith, who is super cute and really fun to work with. It was then Hillary and myself, and two Chilenos. None of us, except Judith naturally, had experience! We gathered our tools and such and were off!! Our construction site was a 5 minute walk from the school. there were 3 cuadrillas at our site because we were building for a big family. We brought our tools, food for the family to cook lunch, tp ;), lots of layers, and smiles. The family was so sweet!! The most kind and generous people, despite their situation which was meager before the earthquake.

We walked into the area where these people lived and here's what we saw: On the left was a house completely destroyed. On the right was one quickly constructed, one room hut. In front of us were two more, only they were half the size. On the side of the first little hut was a makeshift kitchen, which had running water in case you were curious. Then there was a big "yard" which was also full of trash unfortunately. We asked the family where they wanted the doors to face and picked plots of land to start making the foundation. We started by pulling out weeds and measuring where the first four posts would go. I say posts because I only know the spanish word for the foundation pieces. We'll go with posts. From there, we just started to dig. And yes, at times I felt useless but I did help. Basically we spent all day digging and placing 17 posts. The family also helped us, which was super cool. The men helped while the ladies cooked a most fabulous lunch. Instead of preparing the food we brought, which they did, they also made cazuela, which is a very typical Chilean dish. It is basically a chicken based soup with a huge piece of chicken (Mommy, practically a whole one, hehe) and a whole potato and rice. It was so delicious. They made us Chilean salad too. It is incredible how these people practically have nothing and went so above and beyond to accommodate us. They had brought us snacks and juice all day too. After lunch we finished the posts and then lay the floor! We had to redo half our floor however cuz one of the posts was wrong, oops! Then Hillary and I moved to another site to help a group that was behind. Naturally, on the way we enjoyed sopaipilla that the senora had also prepared for us. So sweet and giving, really. Truly very good people. Even the kids helped. They actually put Hillary and me to shame...

The other site sucked. The land was rough and it was dark and cold and their tools were really heavy. Lets not go there. We worked until about 730 then went back to the school for a quick rest. Then we went to another group's school for supper. Cazuela again. Then we got home and went to sleep...ish. It is kinda hard to sleep on a classroom floor when you are freezing. We got up at 650 on sunday and was at the site by 745. It was time to put up the walls and roof. Yes, guys, I did help. I am strong like bull. ish. hahah. But I did help carry and walk up the panels and hold them in place. I made my job to be the windows. Hillary and I did the windows for another cuadrilla, oops, because that is where we made friends. I chiseled space for hinges then screwed on the hinges then put in the window! Go me! I documented the occasion. Then I did a door too. Chilean soldiers help construct the roofs for the houses which was cool. I also had special helpers, the kids!! They were absolutely fascinated with Hillary and me, and my mama packed candy for me to give them which helped haha. They didn't understand how Hillary and I communicated in not-Spanish. And understood each other! I taught them some words in English and let them do some chiseling and screw-drivering which they were surprisingly good at for 8 and 11 yr olds. They were very cute and I enjoyed them very much. I also made friends with a soldier who had lived in Watertown for 4 years. He said he missed Twizzlers. Of all things...

The end of the day was the coolest part. When the houses are finished, we tie a ribbon on the door for the families to cut. The first house was presented to the Senora, the owner of the original house. She had no teeth and appeared much older than she probably was. She appreciated the house and looked so happy. She cut the ribbon and everyone cheered and took pictures! Then Judith presented our house to the Senora's daughter and partner, who have a son (one of my helpers). They were so grateful and gave us big hugs and thanked us profusely. I also got a piece of the ribbon which is so awesome and next to my bed :). The third house was presented to the kids. That was the best part, they were beaming even though they acted like no-big-deal. Then the senora gave us empanadas and we said our goodbyes. One of the kids asked me for my chilean phone number to learn more words haha!

We went back to the school where the guys in charge handed out ribbon bracelets that say "Chile ayuda a Chile. Reconstruyendo el pais" (Chile helps Chile. Reconstructing the Country.) Since we weren't getting back to Santiago in time for the last bus to Vina, nice people we met offered to put us up for the night and take us to the bus station in the morning! I did not even sleep on the bus, I was talking to new people yay! There were lots of exchange students but Hillary and I opted to stick to Chileans which was a great decision. We got back to Vina this morning around 10 and I had class all day. I am ready to fall over and I have a ton of work for a test Wed, and naturally procrastinating by writing here hahaha. On that note, I leave you. Overall, a terrific experience and I am so glad I had the opportunity. I hope you liked this post, because I wish you could have all actually heard about it in person!

Besitos,
Line