Building a home for someone was an amazing experience. In Oaxaca, we didn’t change the world or end hunger, but we were able to give a man a home. – Alex Tenney ‘11
The Rev. Marc Trister, Choate chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry, first learned about Simply Smiles at the First Church of Bethlehem, Conn. Its members had volunteered to build homes and help special needs orphans in Oaxaca (pronounced “wa-ha-cah“), Mexico, and had continued to actively raise funds. Choate Rosemary Hall had been looking for an ongoing service outreach and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Bryan Nurnberger, the force behind Simply Smiles, was brought in to talk to students and their parents, and hoped that a few would respond to the trip scheduled for the second week of spring break. Some 21 students signed up and raised almost $600 for the orphanage. A box at the bookstore filled up with school supplies; hats and t-shirts were donated by development, admission and student activities offices.
We arrived at Casa Hogar, the only orphanage in Oaxaca that accepts special needs children, late at night. The next morning, we saw a pleasant compound of brightly painted buildings and many, many curious children. Choate students pulled out sidewalk chalk, soccer balls, crayons and paper, and friendship bracelets. In no time, the courtyard was a frenzy of games, piggy-back rides, and arts and crafts. The common language was laughter. Spanish was not required.
Quickly, we learned their names. There was Flor, with the repaired cleft pallet; Kevin, in a wheelchair but with a ready smile; Angel, born without eyes and, at age 4, finally learning to walk, and others. For the rest of the week, part of every day was spent with the children. Says Deanna Cho ‘11, “They were the sun rays that brightened everyone’s moods after a day’s worth of difficult work.”
We “toured” the Oaxaca garbage dump and met some of the people who make their living sorting through the trash and collecting anything of value that can be sold. Until Simply Smiles, their homes were made of corrugated tin, cardboard and found materials. Floors were packed dirt. Now, 20 of the 33 families had concrete block homes with windows and a steel door with a lock. We were to work on house number 21.
For the rest of the week, we learned how to build. Under supervision of the maestros (master builders), we sifted sand, mixed it into cement in a centuries-old method to create mortar. We chipped holes and notched into hundreds of cinder blocks so rebar could be used to reinforce the walls.
Goodbyes were difficult. The intense week had bonded the Choate contingent and the children of Casa Hogar in a way no one expected. Tears were shed, hugs were exchanged and promises to stay in touch were made. The bus was quiet as we left the orphanage. We were not the same group that had arrived a mere week before.
