California Immigration: Day 5

 Day 5 by Jo and Kareena:

To finish off the amazing journey that we had in San Diego we were all able to have a chill yet reflective day. At the beginning of our day we met with an artist named Carlos, who is a photographer but also makes films. He was able to tell us about his family and the places that he has been through his exhibit. Carlos talked about his experience with immigration, and the future impact that we need to make as the next generation. He was able to reflect like many of the other people that we were fortunate to meet. This was something that sat with us because we were able to indulge in the beautiful photographs. After looking through the art, we were able to visit Coronado. This was an amazing beach and a flourishing town with many shops. Coronado was a great way to finish out our last day in San Diego. We were also able to learn a lot about marine life through the sting of stingray. At dinner, we were all able to have some local tacos with vibrant music. We all talked about this past week reflecting on the experiences we had and the people we met. Many of us commented on the bonding time that the group had together. We all agreed that this was an experience that was perfect for the group we had. All of us are very grateful for the access to this opportunity and we will keep this experience with us forever. To end the night we all went on a chilly beach walk to soak in the last few hours of San Diego. 

California Immigration: Day 3

 Day 3 by Julia and Lakelyn:

Today we started our journey back to san diego, but before we could head to the waves we had a few stops first. This morning, we learned about how indigenous peoples were affected by the wall. We first went to the Imperial Valley Desert Museum that was dedicated to bringing to light the culture of the Kumeyaay people. Before the wall was built, Mexican citizens came to California for church services and to do their shopping, but this became impossible to do, causing a major shift in routine. Most of the other indigenous people in the area who also relied on traveling through different biomes depending on the season could no longer do so. We found it so impactful that these people had no say in the destruction of their culture. We did learn that with the help of the museum, there has been a resurgence in Kumeyaay culture. Our next stop was a winery found along the border, which was also directly affected and influenced by the border wall. We were given a tour of the vineyard and drove along the wall that overlooked the owners property. We were given the chance to talk to the owners who shared their experiences with the border patrol, which they had good relations with. In addition they told us about how they have witnessed refugees rush through their land in hopes to make it past the border. The father recalled times when the border wall was not there and he would head across the country “lines” to have meals with friends. He shared that before, relations and sharing cultures with people from Mexico was very accessible, but now with the fence… it’s impossible. After meeting with the tour guide at the imperial valley museum as well as the winery owners, we were given two very different, yet important, perspectives of how land along the border wall has been affected. We finished the day with watching the sun set and reflecting as a group about what we learned.

California Immigration: Day 4

Day 4 by Brenna and Isa:

Today our group met with Mario Torero, a Chicano artivist (activist through art), who showed us around Chicano Park. He explained how art brought together Chicano people after the new boarder was created and how people can be Chicano regardless of what side of the boarder they live on. This was interesting because it showed a lot of unity in the community despite the boarder being a physical barrier. We also heard from a local business owner who explained the concept of gente-fication, the process of rebuilding a community based on its people and history, as opposed to gentrification where the community gets completely wiped out. This was great to hear about how the area, Barrio Logan, was able to preserve the history of the people there through art and local businesses. After we went to a mission to learn about how religion played a role in influencing indigenous people. Lastly, we went to a Mexican super market to get some fresh tortillas and ingredients to make our own tacos for dinner.

Habitat for Humanity: Day 6

Reflection

     This week we enjoyed meeting new people, sharing food together, and helping others. We learned that a collaborative effort makes hard work easier and more manageable. We participated in different stages of house construction and gained insight into some of the many ways Habitat for Humanity contributes to the Pemi-Valley community.

Habitat for Humanity: Day 5

Today we worked on a site in New Hampton. We cleared the trees and brush so Habitat for Humanity could build a house on the land.  Frank, the Executive Director of Habitat at Pemi-Valley, showed us how to use the tools safely, including a machete. 

It was hard work, but we achieved a lot in one day!

Blacksmithing: Knife Day

"On the last day, the Blacksmithing group had our last time in the forge. In the morning we started forming our knives and do this into lunch. After we had lunch we started sanding our knives. We saw what an instructor did to his knives and it was beautiful work. We enjoyed the work and we would love to do it again. We finished sharpening our knives and put a handle on them with paracord by the end of the day. At the end of this week, the group feels like we "nailed it."      -Cam Hayward

You must heat and dip the knives in oil to make them strong.

Then you must grind, sand, and sharpen the knives.

We turned the lights off in the shop to check the color of the metal in order to see that it has "normalized."

Some work throughout our week.

Final products.

Jack Hamill designs.

When Jack shook Isaiah's hand, Jack became a level 1 certified blacksmith.

Jack and Case- forge partners

Interested buyers inquire within.

Molly shapes metal and crushed this week.

Hot knife, coming through!

Habitat for Humanity: Day 4

 

Today we went to a house and prepared the walls for painting. We covered the screws with thin coats of drywall. We learned that this technique is called "mudding". 

 

We did all the walls, including the ceiling of the second and first floor. We learned about the steps that have to happen for a house to be completed.

 

In the afternoon, we visited the Dumont Farm and saw pigs, cows, chickens in their habitats. We learned a bit more about life on a farm. 

 

 

Blacksmithing: Day 3 in the forge

 "We arose to a beautiful day at the Hampton Inn in Lewiston Maine. On our third day of forging, our new skills were truly put on display. We were assigned only two projects, with the rest of our day being open to our own creativity. The first task was the most challenging of the week for some. We had to cut a strip of flaming hot metal and make the two pieces into a design of our choice. The second task was to heat weld a chain link. This required a lot of heat and a lot of patience. Overall this was a fun day to really build whatever we wanted."  -Henry Brunelle

Drew works out the details.

Henry tends the fire.

No major burns or injuries yet. (Knock on wood.)

This is Henry's corner; his happy place.

Dereck explains how to polish and weatherproof our work.

Cam has been waiting all week for "knife day."

Case- dialed in, focused, and ready to shape metal.