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Japan Hope Builders 2011: Building with a Thai Family (2)
On September 5, Team 2 (of 2 teams) of the Japan Hope Builders finished their first project of the summer in the suburbs of Bangkok (*1). The team, a collaborative effort between Habitat and "Chikyu no Arukikata" and the first of the summer, is always accepting new members, no special construction experience necessary.
With 22 people in all, including 21 college students and 1 person from the working world, this was the largest team yet from the Japan Hope Builders. Just like the first team, Team 2 was working during the rainy season, but luckily during the project the weather turned sunny. Everyone on the project really showed great teamwork, fulfilling their roles in the group while still showing their individual colors, and they were able to complete the work they set out to do.
The homeowner the team was helping this time was a single mother with a daughter, Ms. Pakapon. Until now, they had been living in her brother's house with 8 other people. Ms. Pakapon wanted to build a house where her and her daughter could have some privacy in their lives and also a place where they could feel safe. That turned out to be a difficult thing to do, and they had nearly given up hope. But Ms. Pakapon heard about Habitat and applied for aid, waited patiently, and Habitat eventually came to help her build her house. She made quite an impression on the team; in spite of her chronic illness, Ms. Pakapon made great efforts to assist the team in their construction work.
When the house was completed, there was a presentation ceremony, and Ms. Pakapon said, "Having a home of my own was my dream. I have so much gratitude to all of you for helping my dream become a reality. Even though it was so hot, you all worked so hard, and it really raised my spirits and gave me strength. I cannot thank you enough." She also presented each member of the team with a hand-made ribbon flower as a token of her thanks.
The team had come simply to build a house, but their work created much more than just a building - there was a special bond created with the homeowner, and the feeling shone through in her short but heartfelt words of gratitude at the presentation ceremony.
The team members reflected on their experience - "We started from zero on the first day, there was really nothing there. When we look at the home we built here, the foundation, the walls, there is a feeling of accomplishment that cannot be put into words. This home will protect Ms. Pakapon and her daughter so that they can have a wonderful life, and that makes us happy."
◆Pictures from the site
(*1) The first Japan Hope Builders team was sponsored by the International Ladies Benevolent Society, and became a reality with the Japan Project, which sent a Japanese team aborad to build a house. We would like to offer our sincere thanks to everyone at the International Ladies Benevolent Society.
