After building in Masagana on January 2nd, we traveled to last year’s build site in Tala.
It was 1.5 hours away from the hotel. We felt extremely fortunate that Masagana was only 10 min away which drastically cuts down on our daily travel.
We are welcomed with a prayerBefore dinner we go through a hi-5 trainAs always, we have grace before meals.We introduce ourselves to the Tala community (name, grade, background).Kids from Tala perform a dance for usLast year Mimi really bonded with Haley and taught him how to play the ukulele Mimi gave Michael that same ukelele while in Toronto to bring and give to Haley for ChristmasMimi has decided to sponsor Haley starting 2016. Way to go Mimi!Julienne, Alexa, and Veronica perform the same song they did on “Good Morning Boss” earlier that morning (they are celebrities now 🙂Every community we go to there is a huge crowdFirework time!“How low can you go?” (Cha cha slide)This might not look like it, but this is the “Bird dance.”Somehow “Whip it” is now part of the “Bird Dance”Jaiden shows the kids how to “Jump on it.”A dance party is not complete without “Follow da leader.”In order to get into groups we play moleculesWe first get to know each other’s namesWe break the ice with “Stella ola ola”Gift giving timeSo much to choose from (clothes, food, toiletries, toys, school supplies).Good shot for your resume MarvicSpreading Christmas joyParticipants from the trip last year will definitely remember this dog. He’s even in the Uptown Funk Video.Last year’s group dug the foundation for these 6 units that are now totally complete. So much work done over a single year. It feels good to know that by this time next year, the units we are currently working on may be completed by 2017.This little guy is someone Michael doesn’t know. A new addition to the Tala community. He’s only 4 months old.Time to say our goodbyes. We have a 1.5 hour bus ride ahead.
This is the 3rd floor lounge. Looks like these leaders didn’t make it into their rooms. These girls have been up since 5:30 am for the morning TV show.
While in Tala, we showed them last year’s Uptown Funk music video which was shot in their community. They loved seeing themselves in the video. Here it is below.
Thanks for following our travels.
Feel free to write a comment below and read the comments participants have posted.
Tomorrow is we’re back in Masagana to continue the build.
Tala was unlike the other villages we visited. It wasn’t a bad difference though, it was the type of difference that further proved that community lives within the lives of so many. Here, the kids were so calm. We weren’t welcomed with the usual screaming & grabbing, as instead we walked into a village with quiet smiles, filled with an atmosphere of pure love. The difference between the villages only displays how important love is within a community of people. While we were in Tala, there was a girl, Journey. She had a smile that radiated miles; this was the type of smile that welcomed people as soon as it spread across her face. I got the opportunity to dance with her & make simple conversation during the last few minutes of our stay. Within that time, I learned so much about a young girl with incredible dreams. Together, we skimmed through an encyclopaedia that she received during gift giving, & much similar to her smile, her intelligence was just as beautiful. I remember Tala with a smile on my face, recalling the great memories I shared with so many of the kids there. To Journey, whether you may see this or not, I keep your smile in my heart & your dreams in my prayers.
I loved the children in Tala. As a community, they appeared to be more calm and collected. This was honestly an unique experience because Tala was conservative, whereas the other communities would run in our direction as we approached their community. As the children assembled in smaller groups, I took the opportunity to talk to some children and parents. For the most part, they where amazed by our energy and positivity. I have nothing but compliments to offer the community. As a reflect on our visit to Tala, I understand the power of kindness and hospitality. Thougn the games, I’ve developed leadership qualities and learned how to better involve all members as a collective.
Tala looked like a lot of fun. All the kids seemed really happy to see you guys and the sense of community shown is heartwarming. Also the Uptown Funk music video from last year is hilarious :D.
I think it is really great how friendly and upbeat the community is. Also everyone living there looks so happy to see you guys. Also the uptown funk video is hilarious 🙂 .
I Love seeing how happy those presents that you all brought over made the kids so happy. It made this christmas one that they will never forget. Them just being able to have a connection with one of you guys for a few hours probably made such a big influence in there life.
This community was really fun and awesome! The kids and adults like every other village would always come up to us and say hi and play around with us it was amazing. I really ejoyed being here, they really caught on to our little modification of the chicken dance too so that was good, every really participated in the dance it was so much fun! When we were leaving they even made us these little stuffed toy that was so adorable and it was really great to see how happy they were, i’m so grateful we got to come to this awesome village.
Tala was a lot more calm and reserved however, just as amazing. A lot of the children were shy, but when we encouraged them to dance they had a lot of fun All the adults in the community were really welcoming and openly let us step inside their homes and let us use their washrooms. At the end of the visit they handed out little gifts of stuffed animals which were adorable and different since we were used to being the ones to hand out gifts.
This community was one of the best community. All the children in Tala were so calm and welcoming. They treated us just like family back home. They didn’t even know us for more an a hour and to be welcomed as like they have known us forever us absolutely amazing. The group that I was with when we did the gift giving was so funny but very understanding as well and it was awesome to see that. I just want to thank Mike for an amazing opportunity. It was an awesome trip thank you
The calm welcoming attitude of the community here was amazing, and was a welcome break from the higher energy atmospheres of many of the other villages. i really enjoyed playing Stella Ella with the kids here, and we managed to play a whole game though, something I haven’t been able to do yet this trip. The small stuffies that they made for us to keep as souvenirs were so cute, and a touching gesture,
Tala was very different, everyone had a more chill vibe. The kids weren’t running around all the time, that was a first! They were a more tight knit,calm community, full of love. I guess it just shows that not all communities are the same. But they seemed to really enjoy dancing, it’s always so fun to teach the dance in every community! Seeing all the smiles on their faces puts a big smile on my face.
Peace, Joy and Hope, Steve De Quintal Teacher, St. Mary’s CSS, 66 Dufferin Park Ave. Toronto, Ontario M6H-1J6. 416-393-5528 ext. 84293 “that they may have life and have it the full.” “Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.” – Vesta M Kelly ***You can always email but a call or a visit will get a quicker response*** ________________________________
Catholic Student Leadership 
Tala was unlike the other villages we visited. It wasn’t a bad difference though, it was the type of difference that further proved that community lives within the lives of so many. Here, the kids were so calm. We weren’t welcomed with the usual screaming & grabbing, as instead we walked into a village with quiet smiles, filled with an atmosphere of pure love. The difference between the villages only displays how important love is within a community of people. While we were in Tala, there was a girl, Journey. She had a smile that radiated miles; this was the type of smile that welcomed people as soon as it spread across her face. I got the opportunity to dance with her & make simple conversation during the last few minutes of our stay. Within that time, I learned so much about a young girl with incredible dreams. Together, we skimmed through an encyclopaedia that she received during gift giving, & much similar to her smile, her intelligence was just as beautiful. I remember Tala with a smile on my face, recalling the great memories I shared with so many of the kids there. To Journey, whether you may see this or not, I keep your smile in my heart & your dreams in my prayers.
Journey, what a beautiful name. I know that you will one day see all these kids that you connected with again!
I loved the children in Tala. As a community, they appeared to be more calm and collected. This was honestly an unique experience because Tala was conservative, whereas the other communities would run in our direction as we approached their community. As the children assembled in smaller groups, I took the opportunity to talk to some children and parents. For the most part, they where amazed by our energy and positivity. I have nothing but compliments to offer the community. As a reflect on our visit to Tala, I understand the power of kindness and hospitality. Thougn the games, I’ve developed leadership qualities and learned how to better involve all members as a collective.
Tala looked like a lot of fun. All the kids seemed really happy to see you guys and the sense of community shown is heartwarming. Also the Uptown Funk music video from last year is hilarious :D.
I think it is really great how friendly and upbeat the community is. Also everyone living there looks so happy to see you guys. Also the uptown funk video is hilarious 🙂 .
I Love seeing how happy those presents that you all brought over made the kids so happy. It made this christmas one that they will never forget. Them just being able to have a connection with one of you guys for a few hours probably made such a big influence in there life.
This community was really fun and awesome! The kids and adults like every other village would always come up to us and say hi and play around with us it was amazing. I really ejoyed being here, they really caught on to our little modification of the chicken dance too so that was good, every really participated in the dance it was so much fun! When we were leaving they even made us these little stuffed toy that was so adorable and it was really great to see how happy they were, i’m so grateful we got to come to this awesome village.
Tala was a lot more calm and reserved however, just as amazing. A lot of the children were shy, but when we encouraged them to dance they had a lot of fun All the adults in the community were really welcoming and openly let us step inside their homes and let us use their washrooms. At the end of the visit they handed out little gifts of stuffed animals which were adorable and different since we were used to being the ones to hand out gifts.
This community was one of the best community. All the children in Tala were so calm and welcoming. They treated us just like family back home. They didn’t even know us for more an a hour and to be welcomed as like they have known us forever us absolutely amazing. The group that I was with when we did the gift giving was so funny but very understanding as well and it was awesome to see that. I just want to thank Mike for an amazing opportunity. It was an awesome trip thank you
The calm welcoming attitude of the community here was amazing, and was a welcome break from the higher energy atmospheres of many of the other villages. i really enjoyed playing Stella Ella with the kids here, and we managed to play a whole game though, something I haven’t been able to do yet this trip. The small stuffies that they made for us to keep as souvenirs were so cute, and a touching gesture,
Tala was very different, everyone had a more chill vibe. The kids weren’t running around all the time, that was a first! They were a more tight knit,calm community, full of love. I guess it just shows that not all communities are the same. But they seemed to really enjoy dancing, it’s always so fun to teach the dance in every community! Seeing all the smiles on their faces puts a big smile on my face.
Truly incredible…
Peace, Joy and Hope, Steve De Quintal Teacher, St. Mary’s CSS, 66 Dufferin Park Ave. Toronto, Ontario M6H-1J6. 416-393-5528 ext. 84293 “that they may have life and have it the full.” “Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.” – Vesta M Kelly ***You can always email but a call or a visit will get a quicker response*** ________________________________