Behind every stunning architecture and each simple bungalow, there are several hands and souls that united to make sure other people have roofs above their heads. This is one of the goals that Habitat for Humanity aims to accomplish during their builds, building a community through the efforts of volunteers to make sure that those without proper homes will get one.
Last November 27, I was invited by Habitat for Humanity Philippines to participate in one of their Blogger’s Build and it was a decision I didn’t even think twice about. I’ve always wanted to go to a Habitat for Humanity build since college but never got to actually planning it. So obviously, it was a big YES!
I arrived at their Pinagbuhatan site a little early than everyone else and had a glimpse of what we’d be doing. Two medium-rise buildings are being built in 1,110 sq. meter lot in Brgy. Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City. Just to make things clear, I’m not made for physical labor. My body has been shaped to laze around from years of procrastination. I knew it would be tough. But this wasn’t exactly about me but for people who need decent homes.
We were briefed on what Habitat for Humanity is all about and the many options volunteers can do if they are interested to help. After some safety precautions during the build, it was time to put our hard hats and working gloves on for we’d be busting it out on the field for a good 3 hours.
Our first task was securing the steel bars by twisting steel wires around it. It looked easy when one of the construction workers demonstrated it to me, but was extremely troublesome in reality. The difference was he had muscles and experience while the only arm flexing I do is when I draw. Hahaha. These are the foundations of the building and I was glad to know that I was partly responsible for it.
Once all the bars were secured, we moved on to our next task which is to help carry around pails of wet cement bayanihan style. Our third task was to make hollow blocks based on the special crafted mold that were made specifically for Habitat for Humanity.
Photo from Rochelle Sy Chua of http://www.rochellesychua.com
The mold used for creating the hollow blocks.
This contraption molds 5 hollow blocks at once!
Bloggers busy creating their own block
Construction worker for a day. Photo from Rochelle Sy Chua of http://www.rochellesychua.com
Block party
Kudos to actual construction workers risking their lives just to make sure other people has a better place to live in. I’ve only been working on the site for 3 hours but I was dead tired already. They work here everyday from dawn till dusk!
Pagoda Tragedy. Haggardo Versoza. Antokyo Japan.
One of the 2 buildings is almost finished!
Tired but happy. Bloggers pose for a quick snapshot. Photo from Rochelle Sy Chua of http://www.rochellesychua.com
There are many ways to contribute to Habitat for Humanity.
- Join a build just like what the bloggers did. Definitely a fun and memorable experience.
- Volunteer for administrative work. Encode databases, design information materials, sort files, etc.
- Contribute through financial donation for the construction of houses or improvement of community infrastructure and facilities.
- Contribute in kind by donating building materials, tools, etc.
For more information on how you can help, you can visit the Official Website of Habitat for Humanity Philippines and also get updated on the latest news through their Facebook Page.
Personally, I wanna go back and get a little more down and dirty next time. Come with me? Let’s do another Blogger’s Build! But first, I wanna thank the organizers of this build for inviting me. Good times!
27 REPLIES
Wow, this is nice!
*sigh*
Medyo kinakabahan ako sa mga taong titira sa bahay na ginawa mo, Rob…
Wag naman sana…
=P
Lagi mo kong inaaway Will. =(
Shutanginamels! Wahahaha.
Tara Team Kaladkarin for Habitat for Humanity!
Joke lang, Bebe Robe. :))
Sige, go. Team Kaladkarin for HfH!
hahaha sama mo will!
Great experience! I’m supposed to be there, but don’t have company to Coron, well I’ve heard from Flowell, who is supposed to be there also, that they always have project just contact them anytime you want. Gusto mo ba bumalik? :D
Oo nga eh. :(
I told Ms. Gladys that I want to participate again. Maybe next time sama ka na? :D
saan ka nakakita ng construction worker na naka-pout? san ka pa!
good job, Robbie :D sige pag punta ka ulit, kaladkarin mo kami ah? :D
Bakit ba ginagawang issue ang pag-pout ko?????
Sige isama natin ito sa itinerary ng T.K. :D
great job robbie. dami mong social activities na nagawa this month. nice way of giving back to the community!
Thanks Ed! It’s the least I can do. :)
INGGIT. Gusto ko din! Para may use naman yung pagiging macho ko, makapagvolunteer nga sa admin, haha. Kidding, gusto ko ng field work!
Astig…lezzgo.
LEZ LEZ GO!!!
Sabihan ko ang T.K. once they inform me of another build. =)
ikaw na ang handyman.
Kakaiba yung shape ng hhollowblocks, different from the usual bulky blocks.
After ng christmas party sa orphanage, home building naman ang kinarir mo. naks. Ambait.
Hahaha. Actually, those blocks were specially design for Habitat for Humanity. =)
Wow. I couldn’t say anything more but to adore you guys for doing this. :)
You might be interested in volunteering in the future as well. =)
wow naman, hobby magvolunteer?
seriously, it’s never tiring to help others no? and no matter how little/big you give, you feel you can give more the next time =)
Actually. Masaya ang mag-volunteer at walang mawawala sayo. You gain experience and you get to help other people pa. =)
It was nice meeting you there! :D
It was great meeting you there also!
You’re so friendly! =)
Nice post Robbie! Hope to see you in the next blogger’s build !
Thanks Ana! Same here. Meeting other bloggers is so much fun! :)
I hope they’d let me come to other builds din. Hehehe.
Nice post :D last time i worked with habitat for humanity was back in high school in Taguig area.
Super scary lang kasi armed guys came in while we were on the site. Ninakawan yung habitat. WTH.
Ang sad talaga kasi pati ba naman NGOs ninanakawan :O
That sounds terrible! =(
Here they are doing something good for other people sabay ganun? Hopefully, nobody got hurt. But I’m sure everyone was terrified from that traumatic experience. =(
Nobody got hurt. Everyone was waiting in the car na, about to leave. Except isa sa amin na nagtago sa banyo sa takot.
Pero yeah, grabe, sobrang nalungkot ako for Habitat nun.
But of course, nangyari lang yun once. We’ve worked with Habitat more than once and nagkataon lang yun.
Wow, this is really cool. Matagal ko nang gusto mag-kawanggawa eh (lol tama ba yung term?), kaso di ko natutuloy. I wish I could have helped.
Sama ka next time! :)