“Let me tell you how to measure a man…When the world starts to fall…How tall does he stand?”
-Hip Hop Artist T.I.
As I sat alone zoning out with my iPod in my ears, it really hit me that my final day in Haiti was upon me. The time was coming to give a speech about my experience with HODR. I thought about how I felt the first day, from the madness at the airport, to that crazy ride from PAP to Leogane, to walking into the base for the first time nervous and excited (luckily I came in with Kirsty and Dylan, two HODR alums, so that kinda eased the pain). I remember feeling like I did not belong or fit in with the volunteer base. Let me give you a little background about me before I go any further with this.
My name is Bruce Bentley. I am from Seattle, WA. I am racially mixed Puerto Rican and African American. I grew up hanging out in the High Point Projects. At one time High Point was the most violent place in Seattle with a race war going on between two rival ethnic gangs. Although I was not a gang member that was all I knew and I ran with them. I have witnessed many, many violent acts, which was not uncommon for a inner city kid in the mid 90’s. So, naturally I had to be a little hard to survive.
So coming into the HODR base my natural “protect myself” instincts kicked in. And why not, I was 4,000 miles away from home and I did not know a soul. But as the first week passed I began to realize that we are truly a unique team with multiple talents, coming together for a common cause. I started to open up and really embrace and love the community and the volunteers. Fourteen days have now passed. I made walls, shelves, moved rubble, built shelters, and played with kids. My eyes have been opened up to the world and a peaceful calm had set in my heart. I really want to talk about my 15th and final day in Leogane because I think it is important for everyone to understand how powerful we are together when we work as one.
We were on rubble site called Ferdinand. The home was approx 40′ long by 20′ wide. The earthquake left the house in shambles. It totally collapsed except for one corner where the roof was leaning on a pillar. The roof was approx 9″ thick, reinforced with a web of rebar inside. Our crew took on the challenge of getting the roof down safely so we could remove the rubble off site. Armed with sunscreen, three sledge hammers, three wheelbarrows, and five shovels, fifteen of us busted down a 1500+ square foot roof in less than 7 hours. I had never seen such a display of passion and strength in a group of people. We kept pumping each other up and
challenging one another to work even harder. As each person took turns on the sledge, the bond got stronger. The men and women left it all out there. I have seen a lot in my life but never a better display of character than our team showed that day.
My final day was the best day of my life and like I said in my final speech good-bye, “And to my team today, I will go to war with you any mutha-******* day of my life.” I meant that. Brian aka “Bear”, Landon, Erika, Cyril, Lauren, Kat, Chelsea, Cindy, Mike B, Charise, Mike B, Dylan, Cristianne, and Amanda. I have never been prouder to be part of such a special group of people.
I realized we all have a story and there are many different reasons people do volunteer work. Besides the obvious reason of helping out, I think we all have a personal reason. Mine was to grow as a person by going outside of my box and comfort zone. Fifteen days changed my life. Thank you Hands On and thank you to the beautiful people of Haiti. I will never forget you.
Bruce Bentley
HODR Volunteer, Washington U.S.A.