Katherine (girl in red)
After being here for almost two weeks, we are still continuing to do more fence building at La Posada. Every morning, MDS volunteers Larry and Roger give an overview of daily tasks and everyone gets to choose their role of concrete mixing, digging holes, pole placing, wiring and tightening on the fence. We are still working hard to get as much work done as possible. With the help of the MDS volunteers guiding us in what to do in these assigned roles, the fence is looking better than it was almost two weeks ago. The staff at La Posada have shown their thankfulness for our building of the fence by giving us treats like popsicles and guacamole during our break times.
It has been a great experience and opportunity in helping those in need. Fence building has brought the place closer to a sense of security to those who come to La Posada being as refugees or immigrants preparing to find their way to a new home. This experience has made the place a better center in providing the privacy and protection they need, especially staying away from the media. I felt very satisfied and determined in working at the fence building which has brought the MDS volunteers, Goshen College students/professors, and the staff of La Posada a good sense of pride and teamwork.
Larry is assigning the roles of today’s task. Let’s go!
Connecting the long poles between the post poles. Don’t drop it!
The process of fence building has many steps. Today, we kept connecting the long poles that go above and between the post poles. Afterwards we put up the fence wire and pulled it until it was straight without falling. After the wire seemed alright and straight, we started to tighten the top part of the fence wire. After a long time standing and waiting, the fence was looking pretty well and put together.
Holding the fence so it doesn’t fall. Good job team!
Tug of war! Preparing to use the cable winch for pulling the fence
As some were still continuing to do the fence wiring, I went with a group to another area of the property and started to mix cement concrete by adding water and the concrete mix to a wheelbarrow and then mixing using shovels. The two MDS volunteers, Roger and Larry, started to measure and place the post poles in the dug holes. Some of us continued to mix concrete and pushed the wheelbarrow to the holes. As we finished almost half of the holes that were dug, the rest of the crew came and helped us with mixing concrete and placing poles. Time passed by quickly and ended up finishing that side of the yard with both post poles placed upright and straight. With good teamwork, we finished about thirty minutes early and called it a day. Feeling tired, dirty, and drenched in sweat, we started to clean up and headed home.
Classmates mixing cement concrete. You go girls!
This experience at La Posada has been filled with great opportunities and I feel encouraged by the MDS volunteers, La Posada staff, and my GC community. Together we are learning about both building teamwork and the importance of immigration. We all take our time and energy in finding the meaning of bringing awareness towards the issue of immigration. I hope someday more people are able to recognize the compassion in serving others and find peace in both morality and humanity. La Posada can be a great place to start based on the many examples my classmates and myself have brought into this new journey.
-Katherine Avilez-Rodas, Goshen College Class ’23, Nursing major
