Habitat in Iqaluit: Week One
|
|
In August, Sandy Berg, our intrepid Executive
Director, left the tropic-like comfort of Kingston to
join a group of similarly dedicated Habitat folk in the moist and
mosquito infested Land of the North: Iqaluit, Nunavut.
These are their stories ...
|
|
Build Day 1
Saturday August 4
(from Deb Wilson* - Windsor)
Yesterday we walked off the plane and
it was warm enough not to put a jacket on... we worked at the site
until almost 10pm that night to get things ready for the volunteers
and build a shelter... the mosquitoes were soooo bad... I have bites
on the top of my head, I probably would have been okay if I had worn
a hat.
Today was crappy... it rained pretty much all day... gloves
aren't very useful unless you have waterproof... raingear absolutely
a must, it's not muddy though, most of the ground is sand, rocks or
gravel... got the crawl space floor almost done which was decent
considering the weather.
When you pack your bags make sure you have a priority bag because
you may not get both the day you get here. You are also only allowed
one carry. Bring Skin so Soft for the mosquitoes.
People are very nice... so far so good. Tired and sore... must
sleep... will send more tomorrow.
* Deb was one of our
Team Leaders for Habitat Kingston's
Build 2007
Week One
.
.
|
 |
Build Day 2
Sunday August 5
(from Deb Wilson)
This was taken before we started work Sunday and before the rain
hit... got some of the crawl space walls up, short day.
Northern property crew on the second day of the build! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Build Day 3
Monday August 6
(from Deb Wilson)
Good day today... no rain,
but oooooh the mosquitos!!!!
This was our 9pm day and we got a lot done. Nice sunset
eh?
.
.
Adam and Pau are the Habitat Iqaluit homeowners.
|
 |
|
( more photos from Janine)
Happy hammers ( Janine and Chantelle)
Raising the very first wall rain or shine… in this case rain, rain
and rain!!
(well the 4 ft wall to the crawl space, building is a little diff
in the North)
The happy hammers in the crawl space, building the main floor
(Chantelle, Janine, Michele, Meredith, and the lovely Dennis)
The happy hammers with power tools- who let this happen???
DEB???
|
Build Day 4
Tuesday August 7
(from Rick Tait of Global Village Canada)
It has been wet….very wet…very very wet….so you really
really really need a good rain suit…pants and top….definitely
pants…you need a rain suit that you can work in and will keep you
dry and therefore warm…which brings us to our second point…
It’s been cool…sometimes cold…our first day was minus one with
the wind chill….so definitely bring layers of fleece and a
windbreaker for when it’s not raining…because it’s generally
windy….and when it’s not windy….it brings us to point three which
is…
There are bugs….when it’s not raining and windy the mosquitoes
come out in force….so if you are bothered by the bugs then you
should bring a bug jacket or at least a head net and insect
repellent…
 
…it may sound bad but it’s been absolutely
wonderful…amazing….none of us would have missed this for the
world….the people are wonderful….Pau and Adam the homeowners have
been out every day…
|
the scenery is spectacular and we’ve had crowds of
enthusiastic volunteers who just won’t quit…
last night we finished
at 10 because the volunteers wouldn’t go home until the floor was
done...
HFH IQ is doing a great job of both hosting us and organizing
the build…
You may actually have a vehicle to use while you are here… but
you should also be prepared to walk a lot…the town isn’t big…
Got to go….we’re heading out for wing night tomorrow night…..if
the chickens are half the size of the Ravens one or two wings will
pretty much feed the group…
|
 |
(from Deb Wilson)
When we say raingear, we mean it... rain again today, all
day long, it didn't ease up at all. We built safety railing
and then the side walls on top of the main floor deck. Lunch
provided today was a hearty stew which was very fitting for
the cold wet day. Puddles formed all over the deck... when
you were hammering you were usually splashing up water at
the same time...I've got to tell you, the volunteers here
are resilient, they work through the bugs and the weather,
soaked and cold, kneeling in the puddles to nail walls
together.
Our work days have been ending, except for yesterday, by
pouring accumulated water out of the pouches on our tool belts,
taking off wet gear including soaking work boots and socks and
then the daily unfurling and drying of tape measures, letting
everything dry overnight ready to start another day, which we all
look forward to.
|
Build Day 5
Wednesday August 8
(from Deb Wilson)
Got to the site in the morning to find Terry Petkau
setting a fashion trend with his rain capris...
Walls are starting to go up... we are making them
completely on the floor, siding, soffet, facia, etc... and
the putting them up.
|
 |
|
|
We had the other side wall almost ready to up but we had to
clean up as we were meeting HFHIQ people for wing night at the
Stonehouse... very good wings.
On our walk to the restaurant we passed an area in town which
has beautiful stone carvings...
Another productive day with just a little bit of rain in the
morning... very nice...
|
 |
|
Build Day 6
Thursday August 9
(from Deb Wilson)
After a quick visit to the site we were given a tour
the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, this is the
Legislative Chamber...
|
|
then we raised the other side wall... the centre wall and then
the long back wall, we were on a roll...
|
 |
 |
 |
During our break in the afternoon we had friendly competition,
an Inuit game, you try to pull the string off the competitors ear
first... Adam beat Rick and was champ...
|
 |
.
During the course of the day we were happy to see the arrival of
Mike Tower who will be our go to guy... what up Mikey????
|
It was another 9:00pm day but the weather was perfect as
evident by the sun bathers relaxing after dinner break... at day's
end we are seeing the forming of the house
|
|
|
|
|
