Hongkong from the Peak

This was a last look at the city. Although it was a gray day, we headed out to Hongkong Island and the tram station where we boarded the cog tram for a ride up to the famous Peak. At approx 392m, it is the island's tallest hill, and from the rooftop viewing deck there is 360o breathtaking views. It was a chance to say goodbye to this treasure city with hopes from all of us of returning some day.

Hello Hongkong

Photographer Bill was busy today as we were treated to an interesting view of this city. Our host for the afternoon was Father Bill Galvin, a long-time friend of Peter's, and a Maryknoll priest who has served in Asia for many years.

He took us by train to a local parish in Lok Fu "outside the original English Boundary line" where we met his colleague Father John Cioppa and then to visit a local parishioner. Mrs. Wong, the homeowner lives in a neat, small 2-bedroom apartment on the 17th floor of Hongkong public housing. Mrs. Wong's son is a photographer living and working in Washington D.C. Her daughter still lives at home.

Tomorrow we plan some touristy cool things before we head off to the airport and our flights to Thailand (2 legs: Hongkong to Bangkok and then to Chiang Mai). Stay tuned!

A great send off!

With the company of family, spouses, and Habitat folks, we were treated to well wishes for the upcoming work in Thailoand. Barbara Dunn and Cate Leonard said that we cleared the first hurdle by having the correct passports. Great!
The van picks up four and heads off to get Bill. Continental Airlines does the rest by sending us on our way.

Eighty-two houses in one week?

The concept is incredible. While we had 20 plus volunteers on the Gulf Coast building a single home in one week, here in Chiang Mai, there will be 100x that number. That's right ... 2000 volunteers from many countries, building 82 houses in a single week. Months ago, the selected site, a former fruit orchard, was prepared for building. Only trees that directly interferred with construction were cut down. In some cases, road location was adjusted to reduce tree removal. In addition, Habitat has planted 2,532 new trees in the surrounding community. Photo at left, taken June 2nd, shows the early days of the project preparation.
Since June, Habitat's work in Chiang Mai continued ... and the site is ready with foundations and low walls. Volunteers will finish building the homes. For our time there, we will pack:
    * work gloves
    * sturdy work shoes
    * bug spray
    * sun screen and more.......

Getting ready in Chiang Mai

To ensure the success of the Jimmy Carter Work Project, a couple preliminary "builds" were undertaken recently. Eighty-two simple, decent homes will be built in partnership with low-income families in northern Thailand.

Nearly 30 volunteers worked on two “test” houses at the main Chiang Mai site. More than half of the volunteers comprised future Habitat home partners who were building with others including Thai border policemen and Habitat staff members. They laid bricks, installed doors and windows, put on roofs and painted interior walls.

The five-person Paterson team, arriving in the city on November 14th, will be building a house using the same construction style.

Where?

Where in the world is Chiang Mai?

It is easily found on the globe. But for the New Jersey team, it will be many airtime hours to travel more than 10,000 miles from Paterson, NJ to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Once there, the five-member team will be building one of the 82 homes scheduled to be constructed during a week-long Habitat Build. This is one of several sites selected for the 2009 Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Work Project (JRCWP).

Locating the site on a globe, left to right: Nancy DeVries, Craig Hoogstra,

Peter McBride, Bill Neumann and Pam McBride.