During the week of October 14-21, 2017, I had the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua to build a house for a family in need. The trip was organized by Intact Insurance along with Bridges to Community Canada (BTCC), a non-profit organization that facilitates volunteer service experiences in conjunction with community development projects in third world countries.
For one week, we lived within the community and worked alongside local leadership, masons and the recipient families. Together our group of sixteen (16) people physically built two cinder block homes to replace the families’ current homes.
As part of my fundraising, I sold both miniature bricks and trees in order to build a model home and track my fundraising progress. For every $20 donated, I added one brick to the model home (with the donor’s name on it). For every $50 donated, I added one tree to the surrounding forest.
Here are some pictures of my fundraising progress:
Starting on the third level and growing a forest!
Adding donations and getting taller!
Donations from my little guys – excited to help mommy with her goal!
Thank you to Costen Insurance for providing the roof and helping me reach my goal of $4,000!
I would like to say Thank You to Intact Insurance and Bridges to Community Canada for an amazing and life changing experience. This was my first trip to Central America and it definitely will not be my last. If you have the opportunity to take part in a trip like this one, I say jump on it! Everything from the accommodations, the food, the culture, the people, and the house build… you will not be disappointed!
Here are some highlights from my trip:
Loading the shuttle bus to leave Managua and head to Jinotega.
Bridges to Community office in Jinotega.
Pali = Walmart!
Ms. Benita’s house in Sasle, our home away from home!
Our Volunteer Coordinator with Bridges, Karla!
Day 1 – getting right to it!
The recipient families joined us for lunch.
Stopping for refreshments at the local corner store.
Day 3 – it’s coming along fast!
Visiting the local school, which was built by Bridges in February 2015.
Lots and lots of muddy boots!
The house dedication for our Team.
Proof of my hard work :).
To learn more about Bridges to Community Canada, how you can help, or how you can get involved in an upcoming trip to Nicaragua, please click here.
Thank you!
Crista Costen
