Team Members

The 2013 Guatemala Team 

TONY BENNETT

Hola.  This will be trip number eight to Central America.  Thank you Joe McGuire for introducing Habitat to Carolyn and I.  This will also be trip number five co-leading with Paul MacKillop.  This year's team has twenty-four members with sixteen veterans and eight rookies.  I am happy to have my wife Carolyn join me again and our daughter Lauren on her first Habitat build. I look forward to returning to Guatemala as it was the destination of the first build I did with Uncle Joe in 2006.

Paul MacKillop:

Hola! My name is Paul MacKillop and this will be the 5th build for Tony and I as team leaders. I'm from Ottawa Ontario and I'm married with no kids. I can't wait to land in Guatemala and get to work. Looking forrward to experiencing Guatemala with this great team of ours!

Tad and Mark Pierscianowski

Tad Pierscianowski is a Dermatologist who has been practising in Ottawa for over 28 years. He is a Brit with a strong Polish heritage who immigrated to Canada from England in 1977. He served with the CAF for 20 years. This is his second trip so he is no longer a newbie. Tad is looking forward to spending time with old friends again and meeting new ones.

Mark Pierscianowski graduated this year with an Honours in Communication and a Minor in Business from U of O. He is presently working with Cineplex. Mark is going to be the newbie this time. He is looking forward to the experience, having heard so many positive comments from his younger brother Jake, who was in Nicaragua last year.

The photo is of us hiking in the Tatry Mountains, Poland last May.


Jeff Darwin:

I was born into an entrepreneurial family in Ottawa, where I continue to reside with my wife of 24 years. Together, Wendy and I have raised three great kids and brilliant student/athletes: Brad (Aerospace Engineering – Carleton University), Jackie (Nursing –Queens University), and Allie (Journalism – University of King’s College). This will be my 5th Habitat build in Central America. When I get a chance I love to fly small aircraft.

Dave Gervais:

Hello fellow “Habitatters”. My name is Dave Gervais and I live in Ottawa, ON. I am married with 1 daughter (25 years old) who is currently in college. During the week, I work at TD Commercial Bank…+ 25   years. I love to travel and meet new people, experience new cultures, foods etc…. In my spare time I enjoy playing soccer and golf.

I’ve been on several trips with Tony and there is never a dull moment. This is trip will be my 5th with Team Bennett and MacKillop. I look forward to seeing my friends from last year’s trip and meeting those new for this year.

Ron Wiltshire


Me llamo Ron. I am a 56 year old Occupational Therapist. I have two grown boys (ages 24 and 22, just finishing school – yahoo). I have a lovely, supportive wife. I am looking forward to the adventure, and to getting dirty.

Jane Marie Obst

Well...    Here we are getting ready to bring this great team to Guatemala and lend a hand where it is most needed. 
This will be my 3rd trip with this hardworking group and I am looking forward to again making a small difference to big need. 
I am always amazed and truly appreciate the internal reboot I get from being part of this team and from the great  work we are
able to accomplish. Looking forward to working and reconnecting with team members I know and new team members 
I am sure I will get to know.   :-)) 

Jill Woodley Tessier

For those who don't know me, I am a young at heart idealist with a Maritime sense of humour and a great appreciation for life.

I started building in 2010 and have not looked back.  I have been so thankful to share these builds with two of my three daughters, Morgan and Grace and I cannot wait to share with my youngest, Kyra in the next couple of years.  It has been a truly unique experience that we have shared as a family, and I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity.

It was the enthusiasm I felt from my husband, Chris, when he returned from his build in 2009 that inspired me to take the challenge and join the team.

The best decision I have ever made.

In my day to day life I help people affected by HIV/AIDS find housing, hope and compassionate care.  I believe that a home is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right.

Building homes in Central America has changed the core of our family and it has been a honour to work side by side with so many incredible people.

Our hearts are enriched year after year, and each time we take back far more than we could possibly give.

Nos vemos pronto en Guatemala!

Jill Woodley

Cheryl Pettit:

"This year is #4!  I feel so blessed to have found this group.  Never thought I could say that I love shovelling, but it never feels like work being with this crew.  Can't wait to see you all again....."

Cheers, Cheryl

CAROLYN COLLINS BENNETT

Greetings. My name is Carolyn Collins-Bennett. This will be my 4th Habitat Adventure with Tony and Paul.  Habitat has been a wonderful experience for our family, and extended family. Tony and I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. During the day I am an elementary school teacher (grade 6). My hobbies include running, skiing, reading, yoga, gardening and just staying busy. I love being outdoors during all seasons. I enjoy meeting new people and I look forward to being thrown into the culture of Guatemala.  One of the highlights of our Habitat trips is the teamwork.  Last trip I was part of  the circle to make cement on the ground.  It was an amazing feeling as we all turned and shoveled until we had the right consistency of cement.  What teamwork!   

RITA CONTI

Hello Fellow Habitaters! I am looking forward to another trip with Tony and Paul. I was born and raised in Ottawa. I`ve been married to Steve Ryan for 18 years and have two children, Liam, age 13 and Sarah, age 11. When I`m not shuttling kids to hockey and ringette, I spend my days working as an Information Assistant in the Animal Health Division of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. I was on the last two trips to El Salvador and Nicaragua with Tony and Paul. It was definitely one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. I am looking forward to seeing everyone from last year and meeting all of you new to the team. Much fun and adventure to be had!


BARRY MACKILLOP

Hello all! My name is Barry MacKillop and I was born and raised in Hull along with my little brother Paul . ! After working for over twelve years with the Youth Services Bureau in Ottawa and a couple of years addressing youth and violence issues in Ottawa, I took a position with the federal government. I currently work as the Deputy Director with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada. I have been lucky to share my life for the last thirty with a beautiful and wonderful woman and we have two teenagers to keep us busy. This will be my 5th build and I am looking forward to what promises to be a great experience.


JOHN LINDSAY

Chris,John,Dave G. and Dave T.

This is my 5th trip with Habitat for Humanity. Tony first introduced me to the experience  and I had to go back. The smiles on all the faces during the week we there just makes your day. 
During the week I work with BMO Harris Private Banking as an Investment Counsellor. I am married and unfortunately my wife Gail can not attend this trip. We have one son named Grant who is 16 years old. 
My other main responsibility is driving Grant from one soccer practice to the other 52 weeks out of the year. Looking forward to meeting everyone shortly.  That's me in the shorts.

CHRIS TESSIER

Hola my friends! I’m Chris Tessier and this will be my 6th build with the stellar Bennett/MacKillop leaders and I can’t begin to tell you what these trips have meant to me. You not only build homes, you build friendships that last a lifetime. Again this year I am lucky to have my beautiful wife Jill along for the experience.  Looking forward to seeing this beautiful country and leaving some sweat behind. I am an avid volunteer in my community and love it, but there is something to be said about challenging your horizon and going global too. I am always inspired by the incredible people along the way.


JOE MCGUIRE 

Hi Everyone!

 I am very excited about joining this terrific team for a second time. This will be my twelfth build, including three Habitat builds in South America, three previous Guatemala builds, and a Fuller Foundation Build in Haiti.

 Guatemala is special in many ways that soon become obvious: for its rugged beauty, its high, steaming, volcanic peaks, its Spanish colonial towns, and above all…its wonderfully receptive people (all with stories to tell). Here, in my first two builds, I learned a new art of ‘volcano-building’……….and waiting for just the right formula in preparing mortar. We ‘Type A’s’ have much to learn.  

 It was here that I learned to ‘do it their way’. In that vein, I always return from a Habitat trip having learned and received much more than I gave. What a rush!

Antigua is the quintessential Spanish colonial town. It grows on you. An awesome place for R&R!

Looking forward to high intensity euchre sessions….

(Oh…about me…I am a former secondary school teacher, currently, a realtor, married to a patient wife, Joyce, with five wonderful kids).

Thanks, Tony and Paul for having me aboard!

BRIAN GERVAIS:

Hi all!   I’m Brian Gervais and I live in Halifax Nova Scotia with my wife and three daughters (two are going to high school and I have one daughter in university in Boston).  My favourite family member is pictured with me – that’s Charlie dog a seven year old Golden Retriever who loves to walk, swim and EAT.  I work for TD Canada Trust looking after retail branches in Atlantic Canada.  This is my second build after having the good fortune of joining this group last year in Nicaragua – I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again!  In my spare time, I like to play a little golf and watch a fair amount of sports!

Alan Shayanpour

Hello all, I'm Alan Shayanpour and I live in Stittsville, Ontario.  I am a 52 Years old

Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering grad from Carleton University 1983 with three grown up kids.

Over the years I have worked at Nortel, JDS Uniphase, Tybenkour Consulting services

before starting a small company with some really smart people in the Medical field, We are known as SPARTAN BIOSCIENCE INC.

I love golf and flying single engine airplanes as well as helping people out and am really looking forward to meeting everyone on the trip to Guatemala.

Lisa Moore:

Hello all! My name is Lisa and I am a very excited to be able to join the Bennett/MacKillop team with Habitat for Humanity in Guatemala. I am a family physician having practiced in Ottawa for over 20 years now. I am also a happy mother of 5 kids; 2 of my own and 3 of my partner, Mike; 4 boys and a girl ranging in age from 9-17!! And my son Patrick, the oldest, will be joining our team in Guatemala with me. We are a very busy household as all 7 of us play hockey, ski, play baseball and most other sports you can imagine! I am thrilled to be able to return to Central America as I spent two years there with Canadian Crossroads International living and working in Costa Rica back in the 80's. This was a life changing experience for me and look forward to being immersed in the community of Alta Verapaz!! "Life is a team" and everything about Habitiat brings out that in us all. See you soon!

Patrick Wells:

Hello Everyone…!

My name is Patrick Wells. I am 17 years old and am very excited to be joining you on this trip to Guatemala! I am from Ottawa, Ontario where I live with my mom Lisa Moore (who is also on this trip), my step-dad, my sister, and three step brothers. I am active in several sports and extra curricular activities like Offbeat (which is like Stomp). My current plan for post-secondary education is to go into health or environmental sciences. Can't wait to meet everyone and get building!

Jennifer McLinton and Mike Hudson:

Hi everyone!  My name’s Jen McLinton.   I’m 43 years old and live in Russell, ON.   I love travel, reading, being active and anything to do with the outdoors. This is my first Habitat build and it’ll be my first time to Guatemala.  I`m fortunate to be sharing this life changing experience with  Mike, my better half.  I`m really looking forward to meeting you all, working hard and getting my hands dirty!

Hola! After saying for many years “I should”, finally now I’m saying “I am”. I am very excited to be joining you all this year for my first Habitat build.  My name is Mike Hudson and at 54 years old, I guess it was getting to the point that it’s either now or never.   Here’s looking forward to making a difference in Guatemala. I’m very happy to be sharing this great experience with Jennifer McLinton. Thanks Paul and Tony, for this great opportunity. Cheers!

Lauren Bennett

Adriana Rivera

‘Verapaz’

The name ‘Verapaz’ means “true peace”, and appropriately so, for the region was conquered by peaceful means in the 16th century. On the 4th of May, 1877 the Verapaz region was divided into the departments of Alta and Baja Verapaz.

The terrain of Alta Verapaz is varied. To the North lie the Chinajá mountains and the peak of Rubelsanto. The Chamá and the Santa Cruz mountains run east-west through the center of the department. The humid forests of these mountains give shelter to important species such as the Quetzal, Guatemala ́s national bird, and the white monkey, as well as a large variety of orchids, birds, cats and small mammals. In the extreme north and southeast stretch the lowlands of Chisec and Polochic, while at the southernmost limit Raxon peak in the Las Minas mountains contain the department’s maximum elevation of 3015m (9950 ft). Alta Verapaz is also home to geographic phenomenon such as caves (for example Languín, Rey Marcos and Candelina), and ‘siguanes’, or subterranian rivers.

Cobán, the capital and location of the Habitat Affiliate office, is located in the southwest part of the department and situated at 1,320m (4,290ft) above sea level. The terrain is mountainous, offering beautiful vistas during travel.

The city, previously known as Zameneb, Tezulutlan or Land of War, was founded on the 4th of February, 1538 by Fray Bartolome de las Casas, but peacefully conquered by Catholic friars. The Department consists of some 14 "municipios" or county seats.

The trip to Coban is about 5 hours on a private bus from the capital. Enjoy the changes in climate as you travel through desert-like areas to agricultural zones. It is an enjoyable ride, although you will have put up with some slow-moving tractor-trailers on their way to the main Caribbean port of Puerto Barrios. Daily transportation to the work sites could be by foot or minibus, depending on where the partner families are building.

Climate

Cobán enjoys two seasons during the year: "summer" which is a somewhat dry, warm season from February to April, and "winter" which is cool and rainy from May to January. During October, November, and December the area has the most rainfall. During the other "winter" months, a light rain (called ‘chipi-chipi’ by the locals) tends to concentrate in the afternoons. You should bring appropriate rain gear at all times of the year, as the weather doesn't always follow its normal patterns. Evenings are usually cool so a sweater and/or jacket is a must.

 

Local History

The mountains of the Verapazes were historically occupied by the Achi Maya, reputed as the most bloodthirsty of all tribes. After making several failed attempts to contain them, Alvarado’s Spanish army named the region ‘tierra de guerra’, or land of war. Finally, a deal was made, between Alvarado’s Conquistadors and Dominican priests under the leadership of San Bartolomé de las Casas (dubbed the apostle of the Maya), to conquer the area by peaceful means. In 1537 las Casas and his priests set out for the highlands and by 1538 had successfully converted and relocated a large number of the Mayan inhabitants into new Spanish-style villages. At the end of the proposed five year agreement, the Achi were contented Spanish subjects, and the province of war was renamed Verapaz, or ‘true peace’.

Ethnic Composition

The majority of the population is Indigenous, about 90%, and is composed of Q’eqchi and Pokomchi, whom are among those groups which have most preserved their language. The women’s dress is distinguishable by the pleated ‘corte’, or skirt and is not folded and fastened at the top with a sash as done by most other indigenous groups. Although it has retained much of its indigenous influence, since the end of the last century, this region has also recieved many immigrants—above all German and British.

The two main language groups of the area are Q'eqchi' and Po'komchi', though most all inhabitants speak Spanish as well. The religious makeup of the area is primarily Catholic, however there is a strong 'evangelico' or fundamental Protestant presence. Many of the women wear the traditional "traje", or colorful indigenous dress, while the men wear western clothing.

Economy

The primary source of income in the area is small-scale agriculture—primarily coffee, corn, beans, rice, tea, cardamom, sugar cane, broccoli, potatoes and fruit treas. Some of the homeowners work as day laborers on large farms, or in a couple of the local factories and processing plants of coffee and cardamom. Livestock is also found in the lowlands, and in Tacti there is an industrial dairy. The department is also home to several zinc and lead mines, as well as salt and gypsum that have yet to be exploited. Petroleum is currently being explored in the northern regions. On an industrial level, Alta Verapaz operates many shoe, construction material and cement factories.

Accomodation and Services:

Housing at the project will be in a small local hotel. The rooms are clean and inexpensive usually with hot showers available. Simple, tasty meals are available in the hotel, and you will likely bring a boxed lunch from the hotel to the worksite. Purified water will be available. Internet and laundry are available in town.

Excursions and Attractions

Just a couple of kilometers from Lanquín (a sleepy, modest Q’eqchi’ village about 4 hours from Cobán), the Lanquín caves are a maze of dripping, bat-infested chambers, stretching for at least 3km underground. (Rough Guide Guatemala). The other attraction around Lanquín are the extraordinary pools of Semuc Champey the cascading pools and waterfalls are beautiful. You may enjoy a visit to a beautiful Orchid Garden right outsides of town. Buy some of the best Guatemalan coffee available anywhere at the Dieseldorff plantation in town. Tours given until 4 p.m. most days. 3a Calle 4-12, Zona 2, Coban, Alta Verapaz, tel. 7952-1286.

Habitat’s Experience in Coban:

Although the climate is chilly and humid for most of the year, it’s beauty and kind families makes it a great place to work. The communities involved in the housing project are approximately 80- 85% indigenous peoples and about 15-20% Ladinos (mix of indigenous and European races). In the rural areas people are living mostly from Agriculture, sometimes traveling from their communities out to a rented field nearby. Cardamum is an important crop in Coban for export purposes but the families we work with are mostly growing the traditional corn, beans coffee, and broccoli. There are also large crops of decorative leaves that are used in floral arrangements and are exported worldwide.

The families we work with in Coban are kind and hardworking. If they live in town they’ll work in a ‘tiendita’(corner store) or bakery. The families tend to stick together bringing multiple generations into a family complex. Houses in Coban are usually made of wood planks, covered with newspaper or plastic inside to prevent the drafts.

Affiliate History

Since its founding on March 25, 1992, Alta Verapaz has consistently been one of the most prolific home-building affiliates in Habitat Guatemala, and built its 5000th house in May of 2010.

Links

Here are a few links that are worth a look.  It may provided some insight into what to expect in regards to Guatemala:

http://vimeo.com/12123626

http://www.vimeo.com/20910518 

http://www.ticotimes.net/More-news/News-Briefs/Guatemala-Adapting-to-climate-change_Tuesday-August-13-2013