Masonry Magazine May 2001 Page. 49
MASONRY CONTRACTOR VOLUNTEERS IN INDIA
Anthony Splendoria could have taken the Grand Trunk Tour with photo opportunities at the Taj Mahal and Bombay, first-class lodging and high-tea thrown in for good measure. But he didn't.
Instead, Splendoria, a masonry contractor from Willowbrook, III., spent three weeks in January volunteering on construction projects at an orphanage in the town of Porur, India, about 30 minutes outside Chennai (Madras) in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. He was part of a six-member volunteer team coordinated by Global Volunteers, a nonprofit organization that offers short-term service opportunities around the world.
Seeking to be of service and experience India on a more personal level, Splendoria lived out Mahatma Gandhi's words "We must be the change we wish to see in the world."
He and fellow volunteers were lodged at a Catholic retreat center, but spent their days building a guardhouse on the orphanage grounds and teaching English at a public school in Porur. In the afternoons, the volunteers headed to Dazzling Stone Home for Children, where they played with the youths, took them on field trips, read to them, helped with homework and even challenged them to a few rowdy cricket matches.
Strong bonds were forged between generations and cultures. Splendoria characterized the friendships he formed as "friendly and caring." He said a favorite time of the day for him was the early mornings when he had a chance to see and talk with the children as they were getting ready to go to school.
A professional bricklayer and owner of Brickcraft Inc. in the Chicago area, Splendoria was amazed at the ingenuity and industriousness of the Indian laborers with whom he worked side-by-side. "I was shocked the first time a load of face brick arrived at the site pulled by an ox."
No fancy trucks or automatic cement mixers there. Things get done the old-fashioned way by human sweat and exertion. "I was impressed by the immense amount of cheap manpower there," said Splendoria. When he wasn't working at the construction site, Splendoria spent hours playing with the kids at the Dazzling Home for Children. The home is a privately owned facility that cares for 50 children, ranging in age from 3 to 16 years. It was founded by concerned citizens of Porur, and is run by a tireless couple, Deva and Joy Dhas, who both work full-time jobs to keep the orphanage going. Using every resource possible, they asked for assistance from Global Volunteers, a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that offers short-term service opportunities around the world.
Previously housed in a warehouse-like building, Dazzling Stone recently moved into comfortable newly renovated quarters, thanks to the efforts of volunteer teams.
By working daily at the orphanage and immersing themselves in the Porur community, the volunteers absorbed the intense colors, scents and flavors of India. They ate delicious curry, soothing yogurt and warm chapati, explored outdoor markets and, yes, visited clothing stores.
Global Volunteers sends teams year-round to India. To participate, volunteers pay a tax-deductible fee that covers all food, lodging and project expenses. Airfare is extra. One-to three-week programs are scheduled throughout the year to China, Costa Rica, Cook Islands, Ecuador, Ghana, Greece, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Spain, Tanzania, Vietnam and the United States. For more information, contact Global Volunteers at (800) 487-1074.
HOME GROWN TOOLS
Homegrown Tools features innovative tools and ideas adapted by contractors from around the country. This column does not accept tools or ideas that are for sale by a manufacturer. The only ideas or tools published will be "homegrown." We encourage readers to submit their own "Homegrown Tools" to the editor of Masonry Magazine at 1910 S. Highland Ave. Ste. 101 Lombard, IL 60148. The publisher of this magazine does not endorse or promote the use of any of these ideas or tools. Readers should evaluate these ideas for safety and effectiveness and adapt their own thoughts on the usefulness of these tools and ideas.
This month's feature submitted by: Steven Fechino, WASCO Masonry, Nashville, TN
Fuel Tank Safety
I use skidsteer loaders with my work in constructing retaining walls. I transfer the machines by use of a gooseneck trailer. I mounted my transfer fuel tank to the top of the neck on the trailer, which saved space on the bed of the trailer. The tank was mounted using a truckers ratchet strap for quick removal when necessary. Best of all, due to gravity my hoses are always drained at the end of each use, which reduces slippery and dangerous fuel spills.