Thirteen’s the charm: a trip of 13 Global Builders led by Duane Hershberger in the beginning of September helped us finish works on duplexes 9 and 12.
On our work site, work on various buildings is staggered to ensure continuous workflow, as well as a variety of tasks available at any given time. Duane’s team spent a week doing some of the most difficult work, digging for extra drainage at duplex 9 and finishing the installation of even more piping for duplex 11, where new requirements from the water supplier meant some extra hard work for several days.
The success of a Global Builders trip can be measured in many ways. First and foremost, we look at the impact we have on the lives of partner-families – low-income deserving families who never had their own place to live. We can also look at the experience of volunteers – and how the week goes for them.
But in the end, nothing says “this was a good week” than Duane’s Hershberger decision to return in 2025. Before this trip was over, we knew we’ll meet Duane again next year, with a new team – and maybe some old friends! In the past, he has led teams with more than 200 people overall to Nicaragua, Poland, Portugal and Mexico, and next year we’re doing something special: a week of building when international and local volunteers will work together.
For now, thank you Duane, Ruth, Crystal, Dede, Ernie, Phil, Bill, Chelsea, Wolfgang, Barbara, Dolly, Lyn, and Steve – and we hope to meet again soon!
