On Jan 7, one day prior to our departure and our last day at the build site, we had so many mixed emotions. One thing was for sure though, none of us wanted to leave.
Before heading to the build site, we were invited to the classroom located on top of the multi-purpose room where we have lunch everyday.
Today was the first day back to schoolEach student is required to wear a uniformThis whole village including this classroom was sponsored by Canadians…..go Canada!This was the classroom prayer tableClassroom audio / video station
The adults told us that all the kids tried to skip school because they knew it was our last day. We assured them that we’d be there until nightfall and they wouldn’t be allowed to go to the party unless they went to school.
It was the first time we saw the kids in their uniform. Blue pants for the boys.And blue long kilts for the girlsAll the kids walked to schoolNo basketball during school hours
Now off to the build site.
Tito Morrie leads us in morning prayer and gives us the day’s instructionsBernie Consul (Mike’s Dad) put in the funds to purchase one wheel barrel for the community.Teacher Merle Gonsalvez donated funds to buy a second one. Both wheel barrels will make work for everyone so much easier!We start painting the upper exterior portion of all units. We used plastic plumbing tubing attached to paint rollers to reach where we needed to paintA lot of work to be done on the last dayThis is the pile of sifted sand Krystal, Angelie and Andrea created to be used for plasteringThe kids (who had afternoon classes) also used the sand to fill the base of the basketball netSomehow Merle keeps finding puppiesMore than ever, because it was our last day, the kids that didn’t have school follow us around everywhere we wentThis would be our last lunch at the build site (our favourite meal of the day)These are the ladies responsible for our meals…..bless them!Teacher Diane Ignoto and Vida our ANCOP partner discuss ways to continue to stay involved
After lunch, before going back to work, we cherished every moment we had to play with the kids.
Now back to work for the last time…….one last push to see how much we can get done!
After all the work for the day was done, we a individually signed our hardhats to give away to the community workers.
It’s good to know that our hardhats will be put to good use and all incomplete work will be continuedAdrian Camara – Blessed Mother TeresaMearah Manalo – Blessed Pope John Paul IIAngelie Flores – Madonna C.S.S.Meredith Burd – Cardinal Carter Academy of the ArtsKevin Christian Villafuerte – Jean Vanier C. S. S.Hilary Tang – Cardinal Carter Academy of the ArtsAndrea Llanes – Jean Vanier C.S.S.Britany Kasjak – Wexford Collegiate (graduate of St. Barbara Catholic Elementary)Merle Gonsavlez – Intermediate Teacher @ St. Barbara Catholic ElementaryDiane Ignoto – Intermediate Teacher @ St. Philip Neri Catholic Elementary
NOTE: Karol Bal-ut another student leader on the trip from Blessed Pope John Paul II who flew with her family, left 2 days early….we missed her energy!
Student leaders and teachers giveaway their hardhats to the community leaders that helped us since day one.
Before heading back, we took some time to get signatures from all our new friends.
We will never forget the relationships we created with all these amazing people
Now back to the hotel to freshen up for tonight’s going away party!! Pictures will be on a separate post.
Catholic Student Leadership 
Thank you for allowing us to be part of this journey.
Peace,
Steve
A couple more post to come!