Sisters builders visit Costa Rica

Local workers dig foundation trenches in Costa Rica. photo provided

A work brigade from Sisters Habitat for Humanity, led by Sisters residents Dale and Molly Larsen, visited Costa Rica from February 17 to March 1 to help build two houses in the Cartago area.

They were part of the Global Village Program of Habitat for Humanity that provides affordable housing to low income families in more than 80 countries around the world.

The team assisted a local builder at each site by digging foundation trenches and septic system and drain field holes. Other duties were hauling stone, sand and gravel, mixing concrete and pouring it from wheelbarrows and assembling re-bar.

The group was housed in a 100-year-old wooden hotel at the 9,100-foot level of the Iruzu volcano. They were bussed daily to the building sites in Pacayas and San Martin.

The future homeowners and families assisted in the building and also provided meals.

The highlight of the trip was a fiesta featuring local children doing the national dances of Costa Rica.

Those on the build were: Gale and Molly Larson, Leaders, Sisters; Florence Abend, Klamath Falls; Russ and Sharyn Fetrow, Black Butte Ranch; Gordon and Mary Golden, Sisters; Chuck and Anne Kuzminski, Sisters; Jerry Phaisavath and Elaine Larson, Sisters; Sharlene Weed and Jeremiah Perry-Weed, Sisters; Ron and Millie Wolfe, Redmond; Woody Woodsum, Springfield.