by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — Local volunteers constructed their 11th home while in Guatemala earlier this year.
Ted Richardson leads the volunteers, most who have gone in past years, with one new volunteer this year. This year’s volunteers who travelled with Mr. Richardson were Tim and Leanne Summers, Doug Schauer and Debbie Bell, all of Pembroke; Shirley Hill of Killaloe, Paul McLenaghan of Haley Station, Trudy Winterburn of Ottawa, and Howard Winters of Cobden – the new volunteer for this trip.
Mr. Richardson believes this is Mr. Summers’ 11th trip, while for himself it’s the 10th. The group were in Antiqua from Friday, Jan. 27 until Wednesday, Feb. 8. A few flew home after only a week, as they had to return to work, he said.
When the volunteers began going down to Guatemala, it was to build furniture for small schools, he said. In the fourth year, they began building houses.
“We built two this year,” he said.
Each of the cinder-block homes are 15 feet by 20 feet with a steel roof, cement floor, a door and a window and a cooking stove, Mr. Richardson said. The materials are on site when they arrive at the village where the home is being built.
“We also provide a food program for a year, which is a bag of staples every month for a year,” he said.
The staples includes coffee, rice, beans, sugar, powdered milk. While the program is only for a year, Mr. Richardson said it’s an added bonus, because the families survived before the volunteers arrived.
He noted about 90 percent of the families who have received a new home/food program are better off financially – it seems to give them an added boost.
Each home costs $1,800 (U.S.funds) to build, and the money is usually raised through donations. He noted the wood from the annual wood-splitting bee at his property on Government Road goes to the costs, as well as the money from the Cobden Community Players Sunday performance, as well as donations.
This year, the expenses totalled $3,600 for the homes, $300 for two stoves and $720 for the food program. Any remaining money goes towards an Early Childhood Education program, he said, adding, which was started by Richard and Susan Schmaltz, who once lived in La Passe.
But, there’s more than just the food program and house, Mr. Richardson said.
“We played Santa Claus with the stuff we brought,” he said.
These items include books, puzzles, dolls, and other little fun things and necessities. This year, the items included fold-up scooters, soccer shoes, costume jewellery, children’s toys and clothes. He noted those who get the costume jewellry usually take them apart and create their own jewellry, which they use for gifts.
Mr. Richardson noted while the volunteers spent five days building the homes, the other days were spent relaxing and doing touristy things.
Antiqua is a “world heritage city,” so there is plenty to check out, he said.
He noted some of his time is spent sitting in the shade, feet up and trying to learn his lines for the upcoming Cobden Community Players performances. Other things included shopping and eating at really nice restaurants.
He noted there’s a cross on top of a hill which overlooks the city. But, he added, there are 320 steps upwards to get to the cross.
The town they were volunteering in is famous for its weavings, he said, adding, “The best weavers in Central America are there.”
The costs for this trip are airfare, about $700; room and board, $18 a day; plus meals on weekends and any spending money, Mr. Richardson said. The volunteers cover their own costs, he added. To get to Antiqua, they fly out of Ottawa to Washington to New York City to Antiqua.
While each volunteer is in charge of making their own travel arrangements, Marlin Travel in Pembroke is the company most of them use, thus allowing them all to travel together as a group, he said.
While Mr. Richardson has gone for the past decade, he noted he never tires of it. He was taught, and strongly believes, “it’s better to give than to receive.
“Giving someone a house is an awesome feeling,” he said.
When the volunteers are in the area, Mr. Richardson said it gives them the opportunity to visit the people they have come to know each time they go back.
“You get to know a number of people down there,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see the friendships develop over the years.”
He noted 1,131 houses have been built so far through From Houses to Home organization. If you would like more information about volunteering, check out the website or talk to Mr. Richardson.
