Building

Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to participate in a great project with fellow Peace Corps volunteers and Habitat for Humanity.  To mark the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps globally and the 20th anniversary Peace Corps Romania, volunteers worked to raise $30,000 to build a home and then got the majority of the construction of the home done over the course of a week in a blitz build. 

The house in Beius

PC volunteers from across Romania came together with the Habitat Beius staff and the family to build the house from the foundation up over the week. PCVs came in shifts of two or three days from around the country to work on the job site.  I came for the last two days of the builds so this meant plastering, sanding, painting, and installing flooring.  The Habitat staff were incredible.  Not only were they incredibly patient, hard-working and knowledgeable, but they were also very fun people to be around.  

During our visit we got to visit the studio where the Petrus family currently lives.  They have a tiny space for family of four with an incessant black mold problem (you can see photos and read more about the family here).  It was a stark contrast to the two bedroom home that we were building together. 

my hometown sign

Zamfir hanging up signs

On Saturday we had the dedication ceremony.  The home was blessed by a priest and we put a plaque up to commemorate the build.  It was a very moving experience that I can't do justice to in words.

 the dedication ceremony

 Jocelyn, Valerie, Becca, and Justin handing over the plaque