September 1st, Japan Hope Builders09-1 returned home safely from 8 days of work in Bangkok, Thailand (*1). Despite at least a few hours of rain (or storm sometime) interrupting each day's work, the team of 15 have worked very hard to complete the scheduled amount of work.
Because it was the first time to meet many other members in the team, everyone seemed a bit nervous in the beginning. Yet as soon as they started to relay buckets carrying gravel for foundation, ice was broken in a second. There were no longer individual participants but there was a team.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　1.Before work, 2.Working on the foundation, 3.Pouring concrete for the floor
In the afternoon of the second day, the team visited a local elementary school. 50 children who welcomed us seemed to be very excited for the guests from foreign country. A group of girls performed a cultural dance which they have been practicing, and in return the team showed to play with Origami. After a few hours of games and jump rope, the team left the school with smile on their faces.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　4.Playing Origami with children, 5.Jump rope at the local elementary school, 6.Mixing cement　　　　　　　
The third day and on, we proceeded with mixing cement, building brick walls and digging ground hole for a toilet, despite the sudden rain. After four days of hard work, we managed to complete the frame of the house including the four walls, foundation and the roof. The house will be fully completed by the professionals such as electrician and plumbers in a few weeks time.
On the last day of work, we have completed the finish of interior and exterior walls. In the afternoon, we celebrated the new beginning with the homeowner at house dedication ceremony. Upon farewell, the team was very happy to be asked to finger their names in the house wall.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　7.Laying bricks for exterior walls, 8.Finishing the interior walls, 9.With the homeowners' baby
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　10.Wall signing, 11.With homeowners and carpenters
The next batch of Japan Hope Builders is scheduled for Spring 2010. Here, Habitat's Global Village program made easy for individuals and small groups. Stay tuned to learn more about it and save your seat in this one of a kind adventure!
*1) We would like to acknowledge Daiwa House Inc. for their kind support and contribution for this project. Thank you very much.
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◆Related Reports on Japan Hope Builders 09-1 summer
≫Japan Hope Builders09-1: Departs for Bangkok!
≫Join Japan Hope Builders 2009 Summer!
◆Past Team Reports since 2008:
≫Japan Hope Builders 09-1 spring completed the work!
≫Japan Hope Builders 08-1 summer completed the work!