On August 25 and 31, a total of 40 Builders Beyond Borders students joined Westport Green Village Initiatives to construct a community garden to benefit the Bridgeport Community Land Trust.

On the first day, 20 students constructed 25 4’ x 8’ garden beds. At their disposal were 75 2”x8’ pressure treated boards, which the students used to form each of the individual beds. But even after all the construction was complete, the work wasn’t done yet! Students then unloaded four truckloads of topsoil, hefting wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow to fill all 25 garden beds.

On the second day of construction, 20 fresh recruits returned to the site to unload the last truckload of dirt, topping off all 25 garden beds. Students then tested their green thumbs by planting fall vegetables and flowers. Before leaving the students conducted a final cleanup, hauling away 1,000 lbs of debris!

The project will benefit local community members who are allowed to claim one of the garden beds as their own. They are responsible for the upkeep of their garden, weeding, pruning and watering as needed, and of course, harvesting the fruits (or vegetables) of their labor.

Amy Schroeder-Riggio, B3’s executive director, and advisor Jason Corsi are currently in Ecuador in search of projects for B3’s 2011 program. As most of our volunteers can attest, keeping connected in the “campo” can be challenging, but we’ll post updates as often as we can. So, check back soon and click here for part one.

Hola again from Ecuador!

The B3 Site Inspection team is wrapping up it’s current trip to Ecuador – it has been a wonderful experience and we are confident that Ecuador is the perfect choice as a destination for 2011.

Each day, we are amazed with the beauty of the country and the people here.  Ecuador is nicknamed the “small South America” because a little bit of each country on the continent is represented here – the coast, the sierra and the jungle. This is a country that is full of color and beautiful landscape – I think we have used the word “WOW” more on this trip than any I can remember over the last few years…everywhere we turn there is another breathtaking view.

The weather is just as diverse: we’ve been surprised by snow quickly followed by gorgeous clear skies.

The food has been great (Jason has yet to try “Cuy” or guinea pig – a favorite local dish) and the customs and culture of the indigenous people in the Andes are fascinating.

There are many possibilities for Builders Beyond Borders’ projects here and much need.  Working this year with the communities of Ecuador promises to be meaningful, impactful and fun. Most importantly, B3 will be able to fulfill its credo of build, serve, inspire  with communities that are anxious to work alongside us to “build a better world.”

Amy Schroeder-Riggio, B3’s executive director, and advisor Jason Corsi are currently in Ecuador in search of projects for B3’s 2011 program. As most of our volunteers can attest, keeping connected in the “campo” can be challenging, but we’ll post updates as often as we can. So, check back soon!

Ecuador is amazing!

We’re busy visiting many project sites and meeting amazing people in some pretty incredible locations. Most recently, we have been in the Andes and the views are spectacular!  We’ve seen snow-capped volcanoes, llamas, Alpacas, vicunas, green valleys and, most memorably, the warm smiles from the children everywhere we go.

Yesterday, Jason and I suddenly found ourselves welcomed by nearly every resident of a town we visited. We were walking along with a few community members, discussing a possible project, and when we looked around we found there were a dozen or so people that had joined us. Before too long, it seemed that we were accompanied by the entire village!

The people of the Andes are gentle and kind, and many speak only Quechua.  They’re quick to shake our hands and share a smile–it’s clear that wherever B3 works in Ecuador in 2011, we will be welcomed and become instant members of their families and communities.

The need is great here.  Most have little, but all seem happy.

In one community, we asked about how the residents would feel to have 40 gringos “move in” for a week. One gentleman was quick to say, with a sly grin, that he would love to have us in his village–they have seen their own faces for too long!  He then went on to say that the entire town is looking forward to teaching us about their Andean culture, a few words of Quechua, how to turn fleece from local sheep into wool and cloth, beat us at soccer and volleyball. He added that, most importantly, they’re eager to learn about us and our culture.

Ecuador 2011 is going to be an incredible journey for us all. We know you are going to love Ecuador as much as we do!

Amy Schroeder-Riggio, B3’s executive director, and board members Steve Lewine and Amy Greenberg are in Peru visiting our 2010 project sites. We’ll be posting photos and updates throughout the weekend. If you missed them, here are parts one, two, three, four, and five.

After a good night’s rest (although a bit too short), we headed north to Asia along the Pan American Highway and then east to the isolated town of Coallyo to check out the work of the February RHOMBO Team and the March Esperanza Team.

After seeing true “construction”  in the other sites, it is hard to imagine the amount of back breaking work these teams put into creating this new water system, as their work is now below ground and no longer visible. But our Peace Corps friend in Coayllo, Mark Vingua encouraged us to walk along where the trenches had been dug and the new pipeline laid.

It may not be recognizable to anyone other than members of this community, the Peace Corps, and B3 volunteers, but we were truly tired after our tour of the “lines” and very impressed with the amount of work these two teams accomplished in such a short time.

We were even more impressed after speaking with families that were so excited about having water in their homes for the first time.  We also heard from locals that before our project together (Peace Corps, B3 and the community), there would be water for only about 10 minutes each day and very little water at that. That has changed significantly for the better — one home owner told us that before he would never turn his tap off for fear of missing some trickle of precious water, but now if he doesn’t turn it off, there is too much water and his buckets and pans fill will overflow!

There is more good news from Coayllo, as well.  The community is beginning to dig again, but this time it is for sewer lines — a major improvement as there were none before. The mayor said that this is an interesting problem to have. Homes are now receiving more water for longer periods of time every day and are now have need of proper sewage lines. The good news is that they have some other charitable partners supporting the next phase of this system

Next month is the Nispero (loquat) Festival time in Coayllo and people come from the surrounding towns to help celebrate the harvest.  Mark tells us that a festival highlight is the annual race from the top of an enormous hill behind to the center of town. Incredibly, the town’s record has been just a little under 2 minutes and Mark is convinced he can beat that record and plans to participate this year – for those of you that have never traveled to Coayllo, this is a very large “mountain”  and the center of the square is quite far.  Our money is on Mark!

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We are now home from Peru and feel so proud of all of the teams and their supporters! Looking back on the year, Peru has been a great place for B3 to work.  We have made incredible new friends, learned construction skills, learned a lot about ourselves and our teammates, practiced our Spanish, embraced the Peruvian culture and food, and experienced the joy of of giving firsthand.

Together, we have continued to work towards one of the most important goals of Builders Beyond Borders, to “build a better world.”

Ecuador…here we come!

Amy Schroeder-Riggio, B3’s executive director, and board members Steve Lewine and Amy Greenberg are in Peru visiting our 2010 project sites. We’ll be posting photos and updates throughout the weekend. If you missed them, here are parts one, two, three, and four.

San Antonio was our next stop and as we arrived the sun came out (thankfully) to remind us of our typical workdays in Feb and March when the Bamigo and Equipo Cambio teams were working here.

The town was still proudly displaying both the American and Peruvian flags side by side and the love and camaraderie that had developed between B3, Peace Corps, and the people of San Antonio was still very much in evidence.

It is clear that together with community partners, Peace Corps and Builders Beyond Borders, so much can be accomplished, beyond the construction – the cultural exchange, the relationships and friendships, the growth of individuals, and, of course, improved sanitation that will forever impact this community and its future generations.

Frieda (our Peace Corps volunteer), shared that while it may be a while for the hard statistics to be collected and analyzed, it appears that health has already begun to improve here. The community officials that spoke to us, told us repeatedly about the positive impact these latrines will have on this small, sparse desert community.

B3 teams were wonderful ambassadors and shared glimpses of gringos that were unexpected by the families living in San Antonio…we danced together, we laughed, we even shared a few tears – what these two teams built in San Antonio was so much more than latrines – they truly worked together with the families here to “build a better world.”

Builders Beyond Borders will always be a part of San Antonio and vice versa.

Heading off for a little sleep and a much needed shower (hope it is at least a little warm) before driving north in the morning to visit Coayllo.

Amy Schroeder-Riggio, B3’s executive director, and board members Steve Lewine and Amy Greenberg are in Peru visiting our 2010 project sites. We’ll be posting photos and updates throughout the weekend. If you missed them, here are parts one, two, and three.

After three goat-stampedes (yes, there is such a thing in Peru), we finally made it to Bernales.

It was actually raining here today which is very rare, and we were told it is the coldest winter in over 50 years. We could see our breath today as we visited the many families that were recipients of the hard work and energy from the PAC team in February and the Rock-It! team in April.

This weather is not the only contrast from the last time B3 visited Bernales. More sidewalks have been completed and the high school (near the stadium where our teams showered) is finished and has been painted a lovely shade of B3 blue.  You can see it from most spots in town and is just another example of the evolution of this small town with big hearts.

Karen, our Peace Corps friend and partner, also has new bathroom at her host family’s home.

As it usually happens in Bernales, more and more families joined us as we toured the town marveling at the handiwork of the two B3 teams that made such a difference here. The community asked about the B3 kids and advisors and wanted to remind everyone that Bernales will always be a second home and family to everyone. Builders Beyond Borders will not soon be forgotten by these families.

We have begun to head south towards San Antonio and a warm cup of coffee or two!

Amy Schroeder-Riggio, B3’s executive director, and board members Steve Lewine and Amy Greenberg are in Peru visiting our 2010 project sites. We’ll be posting photos and updates throughout the weekend. If you missed them, here are parts one and two.

The drive to San Bartolo was beautiful as we drove south on the Pan American Highway…but not quite as beautiful as all the smiles waiting for us as we arrived at the Wawawasi.

The Mayor, the President of Creamos, officials from the Peruvian government, and what seemed like the entire town of San Bartolo were there to welcome us.  Our good friend, Silvia, greeted us with her usual energetic style…

The Wawawasi is unbelievable!  It is brightly painted and very cheerful…a perfect place for the small children of San Bartolo.  The community is so thankful to everyone on the Odyssey and C4 teams and remembers each and every one of you.

The future of these young children will be forever impacted thanks to you and your supporters.

The two projects we saw today are the epitome of what Builders Beyond Borders is all about. We plan to leave early in the morning for our drive to Bernales and San Antonio. Stay tuned!

Amy Schroeder-Riggio, B3’s executive director, and board members Steve Lewine and Amy Greenberg are in Peru visiting our 2010 project sites. We’ll be posting photos and updates throughout the weekend (click here for part one), stay tuned!

Cruz Blanca was an unexpected flurry of singing, dancing and joyful noise.  Right now, the camp is full of girls (ages 4-11) – each with big smiles and unending hugs for us.

The infirmary is open and much bigger than the old one, and we are told that it is a very popular spot at the camp…always lots of hugs and love to be found there. The new bathrooms are finished as well and allow the campers to use this closer facility and get back to activities much sooner. And the Fogota, well that is certainly an impressive structure! We are told that it is used almost everyday and that the campers LOVE it (as you can tell from the photo).

Everyone on the Trabajuenos team should know that their work in Cruz Bianca brings so much joy and happiness into the lives of these children and will be part of their memories for a long time to come. Saying goodbye to the children and everyone at Cruz Bianca was hard – they all send their love and gratitude to you…

Our B3 contingency is on the road heading south to San Bartolo to see the newly completed Wawawasi.

Amy Schroeder-Riggio, B3’s executive director, and board members Steve Lewine and Amy Greenberg are in Peru visiting our 2010 project sites. They’ll send us photos and updates from the field, so stayed tuned!

Hola from Peru! We arrived this morning to find winter in Lima. Quite a contrast to summer in Connecticut!

We were met at the Lima airport this morning by our friend Manuel who misses everyone at B3. Today, we’re driving north to Ancon to see our friends from Cruz Blanca and the project that the Trabajuenos Team worked so hard on in February. Hasta luego!

As part of B3’s mission to build a better world, we aim to instill in our volunteers a lifelong commitment to helping others. These goals are shared by Green’s Farms Academy (GFA), a private school in Westport.

According to GFA’s website, the school “instills in students not only a thirst for learning, but a passion for using their time, talents and opportunities toward the creation of a better world.” Beginning with the class of 2012, GFA students planning to earn a diploma with a concentration in Global Studies can satisfy the International Service Learning requirement by volunteering with B3.

The majority of students that serve on B3’s international projects in March attend GFA’s upper school, where community service is more than just a graduation requirement. Like all B3 volunteers, GFA students gain feelings of joy, responsibility, community, and accomplishment through service.

The video above features footage of our 2010 March teams volunteering in Peru and shows what it’s like to be a Builder (plus, keep watching for a special feature we call “The Good, The B3, & The Peace Corps”).

B3 is thrilled to announce that it has received a $5,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation in support of our International Service Projects.

As a charity, B3 relies on the support and generosity of local communities, families, and foundations. We’re grateful for the renewed support of the Newman’s Own Foundation, and recognize them as an ally in our mission.

Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, Newman’s Own Foundation donates all net royalties and profits after taxes from the sale of Newman’s Own products to charity. To date, Paul Newman and the Newman’s Own Foundation have given over $290 million to thousands of charities around the world.

The image above evokes Paul Newman’s legendary humor and spirit of philanthropy.

The Builders Beyond Borders community is thankful for the support of the Newman’s Own Foundation, which is certain to make a big difference in B3’s efforts to build a better world.

You can learn more about the grant via a post in the Daily Westport. For more information about supporting Builders Beyond Borders, please click here.

The Little Ones “Los Patojos” from Eduardo Santella on Vimeo.

In 2008, B3 volunteered in communities throughout Guatemala. Among our projects that year were building new classrooms and repairing existing facilities for Los Patojos, a free after-school program in Jocotenango.

Located in a barrio just outside Guatemala, Los Patojos is a labor of love for its founder Juan Pablo Romero. As Juan Pablo grew up, he noticed his hometown was changing, violence and drug use increased and the future of his neighborhood, the children, were in jeopardy. In response, Juan Pablo transformed his family home into a vibrant, pro-active, and inspirational safe haven for local youth.

Juan Pablo follows a holistic approach to education, mixing academics with creativity, providing the students of Los Patojos with pride, self-esteem, and, above all, hope for their future.

B3 remains grateful to have helped Juan Pablo and Los Patojos carry out this important mission. Take a look at the video above to learn more about their work and how we all can make a difference in the world around us.

Last Saturday, several B3 advisors and friends arrived exhausted but victorious at the shores of Calf Pasture Beach. They had just paddled across Long Island Sound and were thrilled to be greeted by the crowds and dozens of B3 volunteers who cheered them on and helped them out of the water.

The occasion was Kayak for a Cause (KFAC), an annual fundraiser where hundreds of kayakers fundraise and paddle across Long Island Sound to benefit five worthy local charities.

This year marked the tenth anniversary of KFAC and the second year of their sponsorship of B3.

The B3 paddlers this year were Mike Aitkenhead (pictured above with his wife, Carrie, and their son, Ethan), Jason Corsi, Bud Jantz-Sell, Robert Lawrence, Sheryl Lawrence, Howard Potter, Ben Samuel, and Tom Wormser. Keeping them safe and on track from a chase boat were Jim Pendry and Rhonda Baker.

KFAC X was as much a challenge on the water and as it was on land. We’re grateful for all the volunteers on shore who carried kayaks and represented B3 at the charity carnival, and we want to thank all the people behind the scenes who ensured B3’s presence made an impact.

For anyone who missed it, KFAC, Save the Sound, and B3 partnered on a project to generate awareness of the importance of cleaning our waterways. Through the talents and generosity of B3 Advisors Tom Wormser and Judy Renacia, a gigantic billboard alerted onlookers to the reality of water pollution.

Adding credence to the display, Save the Sound gathered and sorted litter that paddlers collected during the crossing (KFAC has submitted the event to Guinness World Records as the world’s largest on-water clean up effort).

It was tremendous to see such a public outpouring of support for B3 and other local charities at this year’s Kayak for a Cause event. Thank you, KFAC and everyone who volunteered, donated, or paddled for B3!

On July 24, Long Island Sound will be crowded with hundreds of adventurous kayakers paddling their way from Long Island to Norwalk, CT in support of five worthy charities, including Builders Beyond Borders!

The event, Kayak for a Cause (KFAC), is in its tenth year and has raised over $500,000 for local charities. This is the second year B3 has been selected as a sponsored charity, and we’re grateful for KFAC’s continued support.

Other sponsored charities this year include Save the Sound, Canine Companions for Independence, Outward Bound Connecticut, and the Maritime Aquarium.

Amazingly, Kayak for a Cause started as just a bet between friends and they now hold a Guinness World Record for the most sea kayaks launched simultaneously. Among this years intrepid paddlers will be the Builders Beyond Borders pod, which includes Mike Aikenhead, Jason Corsi, Bud Jantz-Sell, Robert Lawrence, Sheryl Lawrence, Howard Potter, Ben Samuel, and Tom Wormser (who can be seen in the above photograph crossing the finish line at KFAC IX).

Similar to the B3 experience, all KFAC participants must fundraise in order to take part in the adventure. But in addition to supporting several charitable causes, paddlers also have added motivation to make the crossing: the famous KFAC after party on Calf Pasture Beach!

The party will features a charity carnival, food, and live music from Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band. Click here to support the B3 pod and cheer them on from the after party!

KFAC also needs volunteers; students hoping to get a jump on their community service hours should check the B3Weekly to sign up.

Come join the fun at the after party and visit us at the charity carnival. Carpe Paddlum!

Entries for B3’s Build a Better Work Shirt contest are due Thursday, July 1. For procrastinators and anyone putting the finishing touches on their design ideas, here are some tips and guides to bear in mind:

Identify: Next year, each B3 student will be given five work shirts to wear while volunteering in Ecuador. Much more than a packing convenience, these shirts will serve to identify us as a united group and display our B3 pride. Plus, many shirts will be left behind with the community, preserving the memory of your B3 team.

Coordinate: Want to use one of B3’s official colors? Here are the color codes: Green: CMYK: 50c/90y – or – RGB: 139r/199g/81b – or – Web: 8bc751; Brown: CMYK: 40c/74y/96m/51k – or – RGB: 96r/51g/17b – or – Web: 603311; Blue: CMYK: 55c/8y – or – RGB: 97r/203g/229b – or – Web: 61cbe5 Designs will be printed on white T-shirts, and can only use one color.

Design: Get creative! Think of a unique way to portray the fun, the service, the cultural exchange, or whatever else B3 means to you. Remember, all entries must include the words “construya un mundo mejor” (build a better world) as well as the B3 logo.

Relax: Can’t decide on one idea? Feel free to send multiple designs. There’s no limit to the number of submissions you can enter.

Win: If the pride of seeing all of your fellow volunteers adorned with your design isn’t incentive enough, consider this: the winning entry will be selected by design professionals and awarded $100 towards their choice of 2010/2011 logowear.

Don’t forget, the deadline is July 1! Email your entries to info@buildersbeyondborders.org

Over the past five weeks, two seniors from Fairfield Ludlowe High School, Kelly Atkins and Alice McCrory, spent their final semester interning at the B3 office.

They completed a multitude of assignments during their internships, affording them opportunities to understand what it takes to run a nonprofit organization.

Their accomplishments were diverse and numerous. For over a month, they were kept busy rewriting both the Student and Adult Advisor Handbooks; designing invitations for the Annual Advisor Party; assisting with communications, including the B3Weekly newsletter; and promoting and organizing the B3 Art Show.

“Working at B3 was an enlightening experience to round out my years with B3,” Alice, a three-year senior said. “The internship allowed me to witness all the little details that make our trips amazing!”

Kelly, also a three-year senior, had a similar view of the internship experience, adding “It was like being behind the scenes at a movie set. As students, we’d really only get to see the results of all the work while on our trips.”

We’d like to thank Kelly and Alice for all their hard work, dedication, and numerous contributions to B3. Muchisima gracias!

We’re excited to announce that B3’s next destination is Ecuador!

We’re confident that Ecuador is the ideal destination for our 2010/2011 program. As many of you gathered from the clues we shared on Facebook and Twitter, Ecuador has a lot to offer its visitors but it also faces many struggles.

Having volunteered there previously, B3 is familiar with the warmth of the people, the beauty of the landscape, and the issues facing the nation. During a recent trip to Quito, we returned to Chaupiloma to visit the daycare and community center B3 constructed in 2007. It was a powerful experience to see the enduring strength of the facility we built and the friendships we made.

In 1996 and again in 2007, B3 made substantial contributions to communities throughout Ecuador, and we’re eager to develop this legacy of service in a country that needs your support and friendship.

Students interested in volunteering with B3’s 2010-2011 program can apply now!