Charity
One of the things that I really love about owning Casa De Compai is meeting people from all over the world. Most of my client base is from North American and Western Europe. There is always a common thread, a vacation. It makes sense, I rent vacation condos to people wanting to go to the beach and escape the cold weather in winter. Once in a while I have the opportunity to get to know and befriend people who are using their own money and free time to makes the lives of the people of the North Coast better. We all know the local eateries that have their charity events, lots of us go and participate in that event and feel good about the day. These couples pick up a shovel to move dirt, mix concrete, lay block. They are on site from early in the morning into the afternoon building homes. They are doing the work from foundation to roof, granted they do have locals helping, as they should, because these aren’t young men. They all are retired, they should be sitting back enjoying themselves instead of working in the hot Caribbean sun. I know how hard it is to do construction here. But I wasn’t working a shovel when I built Casa De Compai, I was the boss. As a contractor/ developer I have the upmost respect for the small group of friends who commit to building these home. I was able to take an afternoon off and go for a tour and see some of the houses that have been constructed over the years and meet some of the families, and the pastors involved, no to mention the workers that gain employment. It was a wonderful experience away from my daily routine, not to mention seeing the incredible difference Lee & Gerry and friends have made over the years I felt honored and privileged to be along for the ride.
Lee & Gerry are from Canada and are staying at Casa De Compai, they come as often as they can to build home for deserving families. They work with other couples that they are friends with who also use their own money to build the homes as well and partner with a local church to assist in the construction and logistics. The church picks the families that need the help. It doesn’t matter who needs help, it could be a Dominican family one trip or a Haitian family the next. I personality appreciate that this group helps all members of the community.
One morning I was doing my social media marketing and Lee asked to speak to me and said, “Hey want to go for a ride and see what we do first hand? There was a fire last night and a Haitian family needs some help” So I cleared my afternoon and went for a ride. We did the loop to see house that they finished this trip. I have to say, I was impressed with the two bedroom one bath house that had ocean view. It was build correctly, I know what to look for, I was impressed with what I saw.The plumbing and wiring was up to code, the roof had the correct pitch the proper space between the rafters. It also had a handicap ramp and wider doors for the owner who is wheelchair bound. Now you can get an idea who gets the house and the help. Our last stop was the next project. We all have up and downs in life, what is a mountain to me, might be a hill to you, and vis-a-versa. But when you walk up to a house that is burnt to the ground, that was barely 200 square feet, that was home to 4 children and the Linda mother, one will see a mountain. Linda was in the greatest need for the next home. What I appreciate the most, is Linda worked everyday to provide for her family. She was fighting the good fight, trying to do the correct thing, plus keeping her three children in school raising a niece that her brother asked her to raise. Then the fire removed everything they had, which we all know wasn’t a lot. The worst part of it is, a local contractor working next door started the fire. In defense in local contractor they are going to assume some responsibility and help replace some of the most expensive appliances in the home. That in itself is a miracle and I personally am thankful to hear that. But the fact still remains a family has no home, but Lee & Gerry together with the local paster have started to clear the site and designed the layout for the home. Some donations have been made with move coming in every day. The family is being housed in the home of a church leader. So the basic needs are being meet.
Life in a poor Caribbean country isn’t about the beach and water sports, or dancing and rum at night. Their are people doing their best to make a go in this unfair world. Its wonderful some people who are moved to make a difference and help in a way they feel best. They are rewarded in their actions, not by this post , in fact I will get called one the carpet just for writing their names. But, sorry Lee & Gerry sometime names need to be used. I also asked them to describe who they are and what they do in their own words.
