Samantha Qyyum

TECHO is a youth led non-profit organization that seeks to overcome poverty in slums.  

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Through my journey of volunteering I came upon TECHO, mainly because of a friend from my Seattle trip. I fell in love with the purpose of the organization and it further expanded my knowledge on another world issue-- poverty. 

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As a team we fundraised $1,000+ to build transitional houses for families. We travelled to Costa Rica for four days as the Miami team and met with other TECHO members from different parts of the world. We were divided into different groups and sent to different areas that were all near one another. From the long lines to use the bathroom to eating outside in the dark with just a flicker of light and sleeping on the floor in a large hot room with 30 other people, a bond was formed with the volunteers.

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We would wake up each day at 5am and head to our families which we would help build a house for. We worked directly with our families for 3 days straight from dawn to dusk. Learning about their lives, their daily struggles and their dreams. I had a family of six it was Dona Xinia and Don Manuel with their four children Brayan, Jerlin, Meykell and Deykell. I remember how shy they all were at the beginning and by the end it was hard to say goodbye. They would pick fruits for us from their tree and hand it to us on our breaks from building their house with their father. 

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I got a reaction from bug bites on my legs where my ankles swelled to twice their size, but that did not stop me from helping with the building process. By the time the last hinge was screwed on and the finishing touches were made the look on the faces of my family was indescribable. My team was proud of what was accomplished and the ear to ear smiles on Brayan, Jerlin, Meykell and Deykell was all that was needed. I still remember the tears in the eyes of Don Miguel and Dona Xinia while they cut the ribbon for their house expressing to us that everything they do is for their children. I still keep in touch with them today and have sent them care packages with supplies.

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I hope these children never stop dreaming and striving to be the best they can be, but most of all, I hope they never feel like they are alone in this world.

 

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