Let the sweating begin
Sunday, April 23, 2006 at 04:50AM Well we just finished our first week of building houses and I don't even know where to begin to describe what a completely incredible experience it has been. It is HOT here, so Deb and I drink about 80 litres of water a day. The work is hard and the days are long. So far I have mixed and poured cement (by hand) for the floors in 4 houses. The Sri Lankan workers are impressed with our strength and our work ethic and have told me that I could get a job in construction here. I have climbed on top of a roof and put up the ceramic tiles. How to explain that the roof is made up of tiny pieces of wood, smaller than a 2x4 and that the Sri Lankan workers walk across them like they are on the ground, wearing flip flops and sarongs. They are incredible.
WE have sifted sand for plaster, we have dug foundations with nothing more than hoes and these crazy picks. The tools are rudimentary at best.
The workers...lets just say if I were to see half of them on the street of Tangalle late at night I would probably be afraid. Some of their nicknames (which of course I have made up) are pretty self expanatary and give you an idea as to why I might be afraid of them. My favourites are "one tooth" and "cheech". But after working with these men for a week I have totally fallen in love with them. Even though they speak very little english we manage to communicate with them through gestures, etc. I am even getting married to 1 of them on Tuesday. He is already married and has a 12 yr old daughter, but I am told that I can be the 'white wife'...sounds interesting enough for me. It is my first marriage proposal, so I feel pretty good. Ha!
I know I have thanked the people that donated already...but really you all need to know that the money you gave was SO worth it. TO have met some of the families that will be receiving these homes it makes me want to cry every time. A couple of them came to the site this week and worked along side us. It was wonderful to see the little children walking among the houses, you could almost imagine what the place will be like once everyone has moved in. If you haven't donated and think you might like to you can go to the TRIP website. Search it on google as I can't recall the url. Some really wonderful stuff happening here.
Deb and I are both good. Mom got off ok, even though it was a few days later than planned. WE have only a week left in Sri Lanka and then we will be heading to India. Just have to book and buy the ticket.
Reader Comments (2)
Hey Hoochie Mamma,
Glad it's all going so well. I had a lovely hand-written card from Janet thanking me for the money and enclosing a photo of the kind of chain gang you would be working in. I told her it was worth the cash just to see you forced into harsh manual labour. The charity thing's just a bonus :0)
Keep safe
love
richard
Hola
Es el viaje más fascinante que he conocido.
Tu tienes mucha suerte.
UN BESO DESDE ESPAÑA
PD:PASARAS POR ESPAÑA?