Expectations

What to expect on the construction site:

• Workers

  • By and large the workers are nice, fun-loving and interested in getting to know international volunteers (There are obviously a few exceptions to this).

  • If they are asked they are willing to teach volunteers tasks on the work site.  For example, they are more than willing to teach someone how to mix concrete or mortar, how to properly use a shovel, how to properly move a wheelbarrow, how to properly put mortar in between or on top of blocks, etc…

  • Also, they are generally very hard workers who, when required to do so, can work nearly all day without rest.

• Dynamics

• Like any other new experience, there will be interesting dynamics as you get to know the workers and the locals; however, in this case it will be even tougher to connect because of the language barrier.

• Be comforted in knowing that it is a struggle for the Dominicans, too.

• Find ways to interact.  You won´t have any fun if you are able to communicate with those you´re working with.

  • Try to find ways to create conversation by talking about things culturally important to the Dominican Republic (baseball, bachata, merengue, dominos).  Better yet, take five minutes to have someone teach you how to dance.  If your spanish isn´t good, use hand gestures and  body movements to help get the point across

  • You all are working with the same construction tools, participating in the same construction environment, and doing the same construction processes.  USE THIS SHARED SETTING TO COMMUNICATE.  Gesture with your hands, tools, etc… Words are only one of many tools used to communicate.

  • Try to learn a lot of new words.  Point to certain tools, and ask for their names.  Spend time with kids in the neighborhood, and learn names for body parts.  Find an easy song like ¨Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,¨ and teach it to the kids in spanish once you´ve found out the spanish names for the different body parts.

  • Obviously, there are a lot of ways to interact, and these are just a few suggestions, but the bottom line is that you will be more appreciated within the community and you will enjoy your experience more if you make an effort to interact with your hosts using their culture, their language, and your common work as a foundation.

• Dynamics within your own team

• You all are coming for a variety of different reasons.  Remember this.  Avoid resentment over the division of labor.  Everyone adds their own distinct flavor to the group.  Those that can work long and hard will add a lot to the construction aspect of the experience, while those that need more breaks will be able to spend more time making connections with the community members.

 

• Possible Frustrations

• LANGUAGE (probably the most frustrating for team members)

  • Obviously this will be difficult, but be patient.  Be creative and think of unorthodox ways of communicating.

• Heat

• It is really hot here, and you won´t be able to work like you think you should be able to.

• Pace yourself.  Drink water.  Just don´t burn yourself out the first day.  Understand that you´re going to be working for one or two full weeks.

• Remember, working is only part of the experience.  Resting is an important part of the experience because it gives you a chance to visit and share with local Dominicans.  These breaks will help you learn about the language and the culture.

 

• La hora Dominicana

• The pace of life is much slower in the Dominican Republic.

• Materials might be late arriving, and work days may start slowly.  Again, uses times when you are waiting to visit with Dominicans and to get to know other members in your team.

 

• Weather (rain)

  • Remember the structural integrity of concrete and mortar are dependent on a certain ratio of water, aggregate, and cement.  In heavy rain you will not be able to work.  This is out of your control, so try not to get frustrated.  Again, use the time to visist.

 

• Lack of modern equipment

• Most of you will come down with the knowledge of concrete pump trucks and back-hoes, and will get frustrated doing nearly everything by hand.

• Remember this is a relatively poor country and it is not cost effective to use this heavy machinery on Habitat houses here in the Dominican Republic.  Use this experience to learn more about appropriate technology in developing countries.  With the right attitude you will marvel at the ingenuity of the workers here in this country.  Besides the job with the lowest learning curve is shoveling, be it concrete, mortar, or fill.

• Food

• The food is different here than in the States

• There are lots of rice, beans, and platanos.  Come expecting this difference.  There may be some opportunity to change the diet depending on what you prefer, but understand that this is generally what people here and subsequently what you will likely be eating.

• Types of labor division of labor

• First, you will be doing block and concrete construction without the help of heavy machinery; therefore there will be a lot of shoveling to do:

• Mixing concrete and then moving it to make a footer or a roof

• Mixing mortar

• FILL (shoveling a material called caliche into the house to create a solid base for the floor).

• Also, there are a variety of other heavy tasks, such as moving wheelbarrows or carrying concrete blocks

• There are also a variety of lighter tasks

• Putting mortar in between blocks or on top of blocks.

• Preparing rebar for the foundation or roof.

 

• A couple of key things are important to recognize before coming on your trip

• First, depending on the work, some days move more quickly than others.  If you´re pouring a roof or footer or filling in a house with caliche, there will be relatively constant, labor intensive work all day long.  On the other hand, if the first few rows of blocks are being laid, the day will be slower since it is very tedious work that must be done right to ensure the integrity of the rest of the house.

• Second, you will likely be doing the menial tasks.  Some Dominicans will work along side you shoveling but you will likely not do a lot of skilled labor like laying block.  That´s not to say that none of you won´t lay block, or that the Dominican maestro won´t be willing to teach you, it´s just that it is a skilled job that takes time to learn, so the majority of you won´t do it.  Still, be sure to make it clear that you wish to learn how to do many of the different tasks because most of the time, Dominican workers will be very willing to teach you.

• Important notes and facts

• BE FLEXIBLE

• This is by far the most important thing to understand.  Things won´t go as planned, you will be uncomfortable some days with the weather and the work, and you will struggle with the language.  Still, keep an open mind and think of the positive aspects of your experience.  In the end, you will better enjoy the work and your time with group members and Dominicans if you are willing to be flexible and make sacrifices.

• Where lots of sunscreen and bugspray.

• I can’t stress it enough.  Interact with Dominicans.  You will learn more about the cultural and the language and you will learn a variety of different construction skills.  Dominicans will really appreciate it you make a concentrated effort to learn.

 

• Cultural stuff (mostly mentioned above)

• La hora dominicana

• Bachata, merengue (have fun learning it)

• Very open culture, very willing to spend time sitting and talking, incredibly friendly

• Machismo.  Women be ready for the fact that there is a lot of machismo in this country.  Many people will be surprised to see you working, but remain persistent that you can do the work and you will win them over.  When walking around in town, however, be ready for cat-calls and whistles.  It´s a sad reality of this country.

 

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