Side By Side

March 28

As we pulled up to the site for our first day of work we experienced a greeting that I don’t think any of us will ever forget or experience again. We heard the singing and the shouting and as we filed out of the vehicles we saw the dancing and the joy on their faces. They surrounded us with hugs and smiles and a few of us couldn’t help but join in, well attempt to anyways. According to the video footage our dancing was not very good but we sure had fun. They were so happy to see us and have us come and show an interest in what they were doing and be willing to help.  And we were excited to be there.

The tasks for the day included carrying bags of sand, passing rocks and bucket of water, shoveling sand, mixing cement and passing cement up to fill the forms. I can’t speak for everyone but I loved the work. It did not matter what language you spoke, where you came from or who you were, we were working together for a common goal. Although we did not always know what we were doing or how to do it properly, I think we managed to do not too bad (even though there was some laughter from the locals).

The part I loved most about today was the side by side, whether it was dancing, working or laughing; we were together for it. We could share a smile as we passed a rock or laughter at nearly sloshing cement all over your neighbor.  I did not have the heartfelt conversations with people but personally I think the smiles and laughter mean just as much. It was genuine joy.

Teigan Fehr