BUILDERS TEAM FROM EL SALVADOR TRIP SPEAK

As noted in the recent blog entry, volunteers from Ontario traveled to El Salvador to the little community of Amatitan.

The team worked hard rebuilding a feeding centre and working on homes that had been impacted by floods and landslides back in November, 2009. FTC Canada and Feed The Children Central America were grateful for the efforts. The workers were obviously impacted by their experience too:

"Now I did expect we would all work together well and for us to work really hard towards our goals, but I didn't expect so many happy faces at the end. Isn't it great when your expectations aren't met because they are so far surpassed?"

"Top ten reasons why El Salvador was such a success. #1-For all of you taking the leap and leaving the comforts of home and touching a fantastic community!"

"There was a lot more missing (from my day now) . . . the drive to the site every morning, the happy greetings of the locals, (and) the always smiling children ..."

"I now realize though that the most important message was to the people of Amititan. A message of hope, love and friendship."

FTC Canada extends it's thanks to this team again ... Gracias

VOLUNTEERS LAY FOUNDATION IN EL SALVADOR

May 5th, 2010

Guelph, Ontario – 3,600 square feet of foundation, pillars, and walls was laid for the community of Amatitan, El Salvador this past April.

The trip was organized by Guelph based charity FTC Canada who sent down 9 volunteers to begin the rebuilding of a condemned feeding centre and homes for families who had lost theirs in a recent flood.

The team left on Saturday April 17th and began work the next day. The foundation had to be set, a concrete floor was laid, walls were erected and tables for the kitchen were built. The centre is a 20 by 40 ft concrete stable building that has a patio, kitchen, and washroom. Three of the four homes were started by the team with one of them reaching full completion. The homes themselves are close to 700 sq. ft. and are all scheduled to be completed by the summer.

“We are so grateful to our team of volunteers.” says Ken Dick, President of FTC Canada. “It’s an amazing thing for us and the community of Amatitan to have dedicated people like our volunteers give their time and energy towards this building project”

This is the first an FTC Canada construction team has sent overseas and the organization is planning for more in the future. FTC Canada would like to thank our volunteers Clive Ward-Able, Helen and John McGillivray, Jeff Mander, Robyn Tomaney, Rick Olazabal, Eduardo de Abreu, Lynda Quinn and John Sprawson as well as 5th Business Marketing and Labtician Ophthalmics Inc. for their commitment to helping improve the lives of children around the world.

BUILDERS CONSTRUCING HOPE IN EL SALVADOR

April 14, 2010

Guelph, Ontario – Thursday, April 14, 2010 – Instead of bathing suites, sunscreen, and a book for the beach, ten volunteers from the Greater Toronto Area will be packing hammers, power tools, and nails for a trip to El Salvador.

The project has been organized by Guelph based charity FTC Canada. The team of volunteers is heading to the capital of San Salvador to rebuild a dilapidated feeding centre, as well as construct four homes for families that lack a place to live. FTC Canada currently operates a feeding program outside the unsafe building, providing meals for 70 school children each day. Rebuilding the centre will provide the children shelter from the rain and sun.

The team leaves Saturday April 17th for eight days of construction. The feeding centre, when completed, will be a 20 ft by 40 ft concrete, stable building with a patio and kitchen. The four homes will each be approximately 700 sq. ft. The team will work alongside local contractors and families from the community who want to be a part of the rebuilding process.

“Our team is extremely excited to travel to San Salvador and work alongside the community there.” says Jon Sprawson of Design Quorum Inc. “Our goal is to not only build a feeding centre and lay the foundation for some homes, but we also want to come home knowing we helped give children a safe place to eat and sleep.”

Overseas construction projects are a relatively new initiative of FTC Canada. A recently completed project included renovating a feeding centre and painting a school last August in El Salvador. Additionally, a team of medical professionals spent a week operating clinics in several poor communities there in February.

To follow the team and see live updates from the building site visit www.ftccanada.ca. If you are interested in donating or being a part of future teams please contact Ryan Fletcher at ryan at ftccanada.ca.