Local Church's 13th Service Trip with Bridges to Community

2019 marks the thirteenth time that members of St. John’s Episcopal Church (Larchmont, NY) have taken a service trip with Chappaqua-based Bridges to Community (BTC) to build houses, and the second time to the Dominican Republic.

BTC, a community development and service-learning organization that promotes cross-cultural partnerships and sustainable community development, began its work in Nicaragua in 1993 and expanded to the DR a little over six years ago. St. John’s has made eleven trips to Nicaragua, switching to the Dominican Republic last year after political unrest in Nicaragua caused Bridges to temporarily suspend volunteer work in that country. Over the years, Bridges has developed a sustainable and replicable community development program in both countries focused on four key areas: housing, health, education and economic development.

This year, the 9-person St. John’s Family and Friends contingent was joined by members of McLean Baptist Church (VA). The 16-person team traveled to La Guama, a rural 1500-person community in the western side of the country in the San Juan Province, about a three-hour drive west of the capital Santo Domingo.

During their five-day stay in La Guama, the team lived in the community and worked side by side with local masons and community members. Volunteers gained an appreciation for what life is like in the impoverished community of La Guama, where there is no running water and 60% of the people live under the poverty level.

The group built a cinderblock house for 56-year old Gumercindo La Pax and his family, which includes his wife, several daughters and grandchildren. Their old home was a tin structure which was in very poor condition with a leaky roof and dirt floors that eroded in the rain. The BTC team built the family a 6 x 8 metre cinderblock home with a tile floor and metal roof to provide a safe and sturdy home, fulfilling what the family thought was an impossible dream. In addition, they painted two other houses, and mixed and poured a cement floor for a fourth house.

The trip was Mamaroneck High School junior Tim Bennitt’s second with Bridges to Community. The Bridges experience has had a significant impact on Tim. He says, “The Bridges trips are eye-opening. [Before traveling with Bridges,] I knew that there were areas of the world that live in poverty, but to see it and experience it is completely different…I feel like [many] people in the US know about the poverty that exists in the world, but they don’t feel like they can do anything to help. Going on a Bridges trip will change [their] minds about that. I have truly felt that I am doing something to help others. . . It is so satisfying to know that what we did will last a long time. Building a house for a family has an impact on many generations.” According to Tim, “immersing yourself in a new community and culture is one of the best experiences life has to offer. It is an amazing way to break down barriers and open oneself and grow.”

For more information on Bridges to Community: https://bridgestocommunity.org/.