Vacation with a Purpose: April 29 - May 7, 2011 -

"The Dominican Republic was an amazing trip.  We learnt a lot about building houses, from concrete mixing to bending rebar.  It was tough work, but in the end it payed off as we got two houses up for two families.  The upgrade in living conditions was tremendous for these families, as they used to live in run down shacks.  But even their new houses paled in comparison to what we have here in Canada.  It just goes to show how fortunate we are, and it was really an eye opener. 
 
Although learning to build was great, the true value of the trip lay in the interactions we had between our group and the people of the village.  Even though the people were living in poverty, there were a lot of smiles going around.  But anyone who's planning to go on the trip, try to brush up on your soccer skills.  Our group got beat by a bunch of kids from the village...who wern't even wearing shoes!
 
Finally, I was fortunate to be able to go on the trip with my brother, sister, and a couple friends and we all had a great time.  We got a lot closer and I will always remember the fun we had!"

- Peter Wu

"The 'Build a House - Change a Life' trip to the Dominican Republic in 2009 was a wonderful experience.  In addition to enjoying the beauty of the region, our group had a unique opportunity to meet and work alongside villagers in two communities.  We were able to see first hand how the efforts of our group helped improve the lives of families, and to meet the people who would be living in the two homes that we built.  We saw the difference their move to a healthier environment would make, especially in the lives of their children.  The travel, hotel and daily transportation arrangements for the trip were excellent, and my husband and I got to meet some great people from across Canada who came together for this adventure.  It was a great combination of learning, fun and making a difference!  We are returning with two of our university age children this year. "
 
- Jessie MacNeil

"I had the most amazing and life-changing experiences of my life while building houses in the Dominican. Being able to witness the living conditions of the Dominican people has significantly expanded my mind and heart, and it is something I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. Our group of 30 was incredibly blessed to be able to make a difference for the families we built houses for. The compassion, work & energy that we gave during that short week will benefit these families for the rest of their lives. I’ve gained a new appreciation for the simple things in life that would be impossible to obtain in an underprivileged place like the Dominican. I couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling experience than providing loving families with some of the foundation they need to lead a happy life."

- Angela Horsfall

"Last years trip to the Dominican Republic was a great learning experience and gave me a lot of perspective on the world.  Seeing the contrast between the living conditions in a poor Hatian village and the lavish lifestyle we at times take for granted at home was a humbling experience.  The people I met on the trip were such a pleasure to be around and we had a fun time together."

- Dave Wu

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"The trip I made to the DR last year with Evelyn and the team was a trip I will remember for the rest of my life. When I registered for the trip I didn't know anyone else on the team and I remember not having any idea what I had gotten myself into. Well, it turned out to be one of the most amazing trips of my life. The experience I had was both eye-opening and, how could I say it... totally fun! The end result: a better understanding of the great need in this world and some of the most amazing memories ever."

- Dale Colburn