I’m sure you’ve all heard by now that we are in the process of building Brit’s House of Love and we just completed week 2 of construction! Our children are growing up and they need more room to grow! So our Britsionarys will now be staying in this new building when they come down to volunteer. I was able to be in Haiti during week 1 of construction and it was absolutely incredible to watch all of the progress. I really was not sure what to expect but I was blown away.

When the project began, our security opened the gates to a swarm of men from our community hoping to be picked to work. Our staff picked about 45 men and then they were split into groups – carpenters, masons, iron workers, and laborers. Papi Len told me that there were even some men in the group that were here helping build Brit’s Home 8 years ago! It was a very happy reunion. Each morning at 7am the men arrive ready to work. We all do a group prayer in a circle and the work day begins!

We started with around 45 men and now we are ending week 2 with 75! They work so hard in the extreme heat. Even though I don’t know them personally, I know that they are probably motivated by their families and to provide for them. The money they earn could go to a variety of things; feeding their families and neighbors, their children’s school tuition, or even gas for their motorcycles. I was happy to know that they had this opportunity to work and that so many people in our community would be helped.

I’ll never forget on our second day of construction, I woke up early to take pictures of the men arriving. Our team decided we needed a few more men, so our gate opened and there was another swarm of men hoping to be picked. When one man was picked, he ran in with a big smile, gave Papi Len a hug, and said “Thank you boss!” He then quickly ran to the site to start working. I could only imagine what his reason was for being in line that morning.  

It has been so inspiring watching everyone work. I’m so proud of our team member Francky who is supervising this project with Papi Len. He is doing a great job! I created a video on our Be Like Brit Youtube page that shows the progress of week 1. On day 1 we started with a flat surface, and by the end of the week, the first floor was almost completed with beautiful concrete windows.

I am truly looking forward to this building being completed. I’m looking forward to more group bonding, meals with friends, reflection at night, and just making new memories. This new building will even have a walkway over to the roof of Brit’s Home! How cool is that!?

If you are looking for a way to get involved with this project, you can visit www.belikebrit.org/blocks for more information! If you can donate $10 for one block, we would truly appreciate it! Also stay tuned to our Facebook page for more live video updates and updated pictures! Thank you. 

-Danielle