1757 N. East Ave., Sarasota, FL 34234 941-365-0700
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Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, Inc.
Administrative Office
1757 N. East Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34234
941-365-0700
Fax 941-363-7775
OPEN 9-5 M-F
ReStore and Home Improvement Outlet
2095 17th St.
941-363-0777
OPEN Mon -Fri 9-7 Sat-9-5
honduras
Sarasota Habitat in Honduras
My entire career has been spent building homes and neighborhoods within the United States. So when Dale Vollrath from Church of Palms approached me to go on a build in Honduras, I have to admit, I was thinking, “Honduras? Where is Honduras? It is south, right?” A quick trip to Google and my geography started to clear up: Honduras, the country south of Mexico, where poverty is a way of life. By the time I confirmed where Honduras was, I was already realizing how rewarding a trip like that would be. We flew out of Miami in sunlight, but it was dark on our trip from the Honduran airport to our hotel. We sat along the bench seats lining each side of the van that would become a consistent part of our daily life. From the modest airport to the landscape we passed through, everything told us that, as friendly as everyone is, this is a place you should stay with your group.
The first day, as we drove to the job, it became evident that each house along the paved streets is a fortress unto itself, and armed guards are visible at stores and gas stations. For those with means, security is a high priority. But as we left the pavement and followed the gravel ruts, the poverty and living conditions became more evident. Squatters’ shacks lined the gravel road in front of our job site
Dirt floors with an occasional mattress on the ground served as sleeping quarters. An open fire with a piece of metal over adobe sides for cooking constituted the kitchens. At the site, we met the Habitat construction manager, who introduced us to our Honduran co-workers, and we quickly tossed out everything we might have thought we knew about block construction. In a relative short period, we began to understand how to mix concrete and lay block Honduran style. Working side by side with our new Honduran friends, we all shared the experience and learned to communicate and laugh without a common language. We actually developed some nicknames—like Quick Switch and Block Boy. Those were just our names. Our Honduran contractor became quite fond of the term “Ohhh, noooo!” For some reason he used this a lot. As every day provided drenched clothing, concrete covered shoes, and its share of nicks, scratches, and sore muscles, there was also a growing sense of pride that could be felt. Maybe it was just the heat and humidity, but I knew we were enjoying ourselves. Nothing in Honduras is taken for granted. From school busses to pots and pans, everything is used, re-used, and then re-used again. This humble appreciation for everything is what makes providing a home for a Honduran family so worthwhile and rewarding.
One day, a boy roughly ten years old attentively watched us mix concrete with shovels for a while and then, unsolicited, picked up a shovel and started helping. This caring, selfless act created a mutual respect that was evident. Children as young as six or seven would collect wood for cooking fires, do their schoolwork without a table or desk and bathing with jugs of water. The hardship and living conditions in this country is a vivid reminder to appreciate our blessing. No article could convey the difficulty of building in these conditions or the deep satisfaction that comes from helping a deserving family in a country like Honduras. I would recommend that everyone who gets the chance participate in a similar trip. You will be surprised who benefits.
Honduran Style Home
By Dean Shelton
Director of Construction
Sarasota Habitat
