The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Sisters Habitat for Humanity and Three Sisters Fellowship organized quickly to be the first Habitat team from the United States to build shelter for tsunami-earthquake victims. In March, the local team will travel to a village at the southernmost tip of India to begin rebuilding.

“Excitement about this whole thing is growing,” said Habitat team leader Woodie Woodsum.

After the disaster struck Southeast Asia December 26, Habitat for Humanity International pledged to build 25,000 houses for the victims.

Sisters’ volunteers are donating their time, expert building and medical skills, and their own funds to help devastated Kanniyakumari. The village was once a tourist destination and an important center of Hindu pilgrimage.

Now it has only 500 homes standing from its original 6,000.

The 10-day trip won’t be easy. It is similar to backpacking because all supplies need to be brought in. Each of the 11 men must carry all their own food, a tent, clothes and tools into the village. They must take a water purification system. And all these supplies must not weigh more than the 75 pounds allowed by the airline.

“The teams need to be self-sufficient since there’s no food, shelter, or water,” said Woodsum.

In addition to the practical considerations, the trip will be difficult emotionally.

“It’s going to be an incredible cultural shock when you see it,” Woodsum said.

“Everything we take, we leave,” the team leader noted.

He said on some trips volunteers have even left their shoes for the local people and come home barefoot.

Habitat hasn’t traditionally assisted with disaster relief. Typical trips to foreign countries include cultural exchange activities with the local people such as dinners. But Woodsum said this trip “is a totally different mission.” Only volunteers with top-notch skills are going and they will work hard 10-12 hours every day.

Three Sisters Fellowship Pastor Mike Boswell is bringing several members of his church. The volunteers, who are either contractors, emergency medical technicians or both, include: Ron Barry, Gary Lovegren, Roger Brant, Dan Bray, Rod Bray, Troy Meeder, Bryan Stevens and Mark Luscher. The Sisters residents will meet up with a civil engineer from Minnesota to complete the team.

Woodsum said his team will focus on bringing in a clean water supply, building temporary shelters, and clearing building sites for permanent structures.

While Habitat usually builds homes with concrete block and corrugated roofs, Woodsum said “the first team is not going to find those building materials.” So the Sisters workers will pave the way for the next Habitat team to build permanent homes once supplies are available.

Woodsum estimates the travel will cost each person about $1,500. In addition each man must pay for inoculations, which can run $300 to $500. Also, the team needs to gather supplies from flashlights to sunscreen and freeze-dried food.

“We’re hoping as the community becomes aware of this trip, we will get funding,” said Woodsum.

He said Hoyt’s Hardware is donating safety gear and small tools and he is asking other businesses for help.

Three Sisters Fellowship raised $2,600 in a recent thrift sale for the tsunami relief. However, other than that, each volunteer has committed his own money.

“That’s a big family commitment,” said Woodsum of the travel costs.

People can contribute to the trip by contacting Sisters Habitat and designating funds specifically for tsunami relief.