Trip #11: Day 2

At the handicap ramp job site we started out with finishing the decking boards going down the ramp. While some were working on the decking boards, others were finishing digging trenches for the joists to rest into the ground to make the ramp level to the ground. After some of the students were done with the decking boards they started putting up the railings and screwing the balusters to the outside of the railing, making the railing on the ramp look outstanding for people driving by the house.  When we finished the ramp, we put the pavers at the bottom of the ramp so the lady with ALS could have an easy smooth level ride up the ramp. She came out to say thank you to us.  Her face and reaction was priceless.  It was touching to us because she was crying and made some of us tear up a little.  After all, the handicap ramp was a successful project for us without any injuries or any arguments.

At the roofing job site, we shingled the rest of the roof. On the front of the house we also covered the existing shingles with new ones.  This area was much steeper and students had to use fall protection to be safe.  While we worked, we counted about 10 trucks carrying chickens to their final destination and returning empty. There was only one minor injury at the roofing site, a hammer fell off a ladder and hit Holste’s head.

After finishing the first site we moved on to the next which was a small 12’x20’ shed that is located a few blocks away from where we are staying. It is a storage building for a church and we wanted to help them out.  When we arrived it was around 2 o’clock and most of us were ready to make a run for it and quit for the day but we pushed through it and got half of that project completed. After that we headed for the showers and ate dinner, which was awesome chicken by the way.  

Near the end of the evening, a family stopped by that BC Cares had helped 3 years ago. They invited us to their house and told us how important our work was to the people that we are helping. They specifically asked about two of the students from that trip, Kody and Zach. Mr. Bradshaw said that those boys will be forever in his heart.