This past July I had the opportunity to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity on a house build in Amarante, Portugal. The build was planned months in advance but heading to Portugal was a last minute change. Our original destination was Hungary but ultimately we were forced to spend two full weeks in horribly beautiful Portugal. It was an incredible sacrifice on my part but somehow while eating plateful of Portuguese delicacies and spending our few days off traveling around northern Portugal I made the best of it.
The project was a life changing experience that I owe to the American Church of London and generous donors. We helped in the building of a home for an older woman named Lourdes and her family. We did a variety of things from painting, wall tiling, roof installation and cementing. My partner and I were responsible for tiling the floors and walls. I woke up with my hands in a fist for a week straight. It was exhausting but very fulfilling work. I was able to brush off my college Spanish and even picked up some portuguese. Bad portuguese but some.
Zena, my fellow American Church of London member, raised 2300 Euros for Habitat for Humanity. The money raised went Habitat for Humanity Portugal and will help in the building and restoration of homes in Northern Portugal. In addition to all sorts of do-gooderism I made wonderful friends who I hope to know for a long time to come.
Here's a link to more photos of the trip. I have tried to include a mix between working shots and the amazing cultural immersion we were blessed to experience.
Thank you all for your part in changing the lives of Lourdes and her family.
Nxx
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