by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — Ted Richardson is making his 10th trip to Guatemala to help build two houses, which are little more than shelters.
“They’re about 12 x 20,” the Cobden man said.
Looking back at his 10 years, Mr. Richardson said this will be the first year there will be no furniture built because there are no facilities to do that.
“We may do repairs,” he said.
The first three years only furniture was built, while the next few years, houses were built and furniture constructed, he added.
The organization he helps build the homes through is Houses To Homes. The organization was founded by Joe Collins out of New Jersey, who died two years ago.
“Our first house was Number 101 and now there are over 1,000 houses,” Mr. Richardson said.
He recalled the first time he was in Guatemala through an organization with Richard and Susan Schmaltz, from Westmeath, but who now live in Ottawa and no longer run the organization.
“I felt extremely guilty because of what I had,” he said. “They are so poor. Richard explained to me, don’t feel guilty for what you have, just share it.
“We were right at the dump and it haunted me,” he recalled.
Each year Mr. Richardson has returned with nine other people, sometimes the same ones, sometimes different.
This year, there are only seven going — Mr. Richardson, Doug Schauer from Cobden, Paul McLanaghan of Haley Station, Tim and Leanne Summers of Pembroke, Alex Frew of Deep River and Trudy Winterburn from Ottawa, who is Mr. Richardson’s niece.
They leave on Saturday and will return Nov. 19. They will be living in Antiqua while in Guatemala.
Each time Mr. Richardson returned from Guatemala, he would hold an evening where he, and many of he others who went with him, would talk about his experiences in Guatemala.
“People would contact me, after hearing about it, and wanted to go,” he said.
Throughout the year, those who are planning on going to Guatemala fundraise to get the supplies for the home, he said. One fundraiser is getting a tandem load of wood, cutting it up and then selling it, with the profits, usually about $900, being donated to the project, he said.
As well, the profits from the Sunday performance of the Cobden Community Players held each April goes towards the Guatemala project, he added.
Then there is the generosity of people who make donations to add extras, such as stoves, beds, bedding, etc., he said.
Mr. Richardson said some people will see him on the street, stop him and give him some money.
He noted the money raised all goes towards the Guatemala project. Those who go to Guatemala pay their own expenses, which includes flights, lodging and food, he said. The total amount, which includes spending money, is about $2,000.
As for what is medically required to go, Mr. Richardson said those going are encouraged to speak with their own physicians.
While over there, they can experience temperatures about 18C at night and 30C during the day.
There are no bugs or flies, he said.
“It’s very dry,” Mr. Richardson said. “We are up in the mountains.”
He noted for those Guatemalans who do not have a house, they live in cornstalk shacks.
“We build cinder block homes,” he said. “They have a steel roof, cement floor, a door and a window.”
A stove is provided, as well as bunk beds and bedding and they are provided with food for one year.
“They get one bag of food a month, worth about $300, that has all their staples,” Mr. Richardson said.
This year the two homes will be built in memory of Merrill Schauer, who had gone on two previous trips prior to his failing health, resulting in his death.
While in Guatemala, Mr. Richardson said the volunteers try and visit those they have helped. And while it’s not always possible to see all of them, they do make sure to visit the ones who got a home the previous year.
Mr. Richardson said, “This has been the most rewarding experience of my life. It’s always different each time you go.”
A month after his return, Mr. Richardson is hosting an event at Grace United Church where three Guatemalans who have benefitted from the generosity of the volunteers, will come and stay for almost two weeks.
While here they will try out various winter sports and the Canadian way of life, he said.
“We’ll show them how we make money for them,” Mr. Richardson said.
More information on this event will be published closer to the date, which is Dec. 19.
