Suggested Packing List from Host Country

Packing list for GV trips

HFH Trinidad & Tobago

Suggested

• ·       (5) changes of work clothes.  “Wicking polyester” shirts and nylon (or supplex) pants work best.
• ·       (2) days of travel clothes.
• ·       (2) days of beach + casual attire, complete with beach towel and flip-flops*.  (*Flip-flops perform double-duty, as we need to change-out of our potentially-muddy work shoes before entering the privately-owned transportation vehicles.)
• ·       (1) “slightly nicer” outfit in case there’s a special event.
• ·       (1) long-sleeve pullover (in case we’re in an overly-air-conditioned space).
• ·       Soft earplugs for sleeping (in case you have a snoring roommate!).
• ·       Insect repellant.
• ·       Dopp Kit (complete with small amount of soap & shampoo – just in case).
• ·        “Data package” for your cell phone (however, WiFi is readily available in most hotels).

Strongly recommended

• 100% cotton bandanas (one for forehead sweat, another to keep your neck cool).
•  Sun-hat, cap or visor / sun screen (aerosol ok, but has to be checked when going through airports).
•  Rain gear for the work-site / small umbrella for other times.
•  Comfortable work gloves.  Cotton (with palms dipped in rubber) usually work best, or “garden” style.
•   “Spork,” or cutlery set (for our catered lunches, which cuts down on Styrofoam and plastic waste).
•  Global Village tee-shirt to wear upon arrival (making it easier to spot people in the airport).
•  Reading material (in case we’re stuck in traffic), and cards, etc. (if we have a slow night).
• ATM card to get local currency (confirm use of same with your bank before departure).
•  Supply of anything food-related that is special to you, and which you think is unlikely to be found locally (although our caterer is perfectly comfortable working with all food allergies). 

Required

• ·       “Closed toed” shoes, sneakers or boots for the work site.  Steel-toed-or-shanked not required.
•              Pants for men, and at least leggings or capri pants for women (as lightweight and comfortable as possible).  Shirts must cover the shoulders (“cap sleeve” length for women; “half bicep” for men).
•       Passport (no VISA required for entry from most countries, and no extra Exit Tax to pay).
•       Water bottle (with a large enough opening to receive from another container).
•       Copy of passport / contact info for ACE medical insurance / local Emergency phone numbers.
•       Adequate supply of any special medication, and/or the prescriptions for same.

TEAM MEMBERS

WELCOME TO THE 2014 TEAM MEMBERS

Tony Bennett:

This will be trip number nine. Thank you Joe McGuire for introducing Habitat to Carolyn and I.  This will also be trip number six co-leading with Paul MacKillop.  This year's team has twenty-five members with twenty three veterans and two rookies.  I am happy to have my daughter Lauren join me for her 2nd Habitat build. 

Lauren Bennett:

Paul MacKillop:

2014 marks the 6th year that I have had the opportunity to lead a Global Village Team with Tony Bennett. Every year, I look forward to re-connecting with past team members as well as getting to know our new members.

Each trip provides the opportunity to spend a week with my brother, colleagues and a great bunch of friends. Get packing folks..and remember...“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” 

― John Bunyan

Barry MacKillop:

Hey!  My name is Barry MacKillop and this is year #6 for me.   Looking forward to another experience with a great group of people.

Chris Tessier:

Jill Woodley:

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 for the second time. 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 now husband, Mike; 4 boys and a girl ranging in age from 10-18! Crazy life of hockey, baseball, golf and noise… but am lucky to have this. Can't wait for T&T and 10 days with some of the most special people I have met in the world. Hoping for some warmth to go with the laughter this year!

Lisa

Joe McGuire:

Hi!

I am Joe McGuire. This will be my 13th build; twelve with Habitat, and one, to Haiti, with the Fuller Foundation. Yes, we all do this to 'Give back' and make the world a little better place...but whoever thought that it could be so much fun! The people on the teams, although from widely differing backgrounds, all share a joy in simple acts of physically giving. It's only a week, but memories shared with future homeowners last forever. Thanks for having me, Tony and Paul!

Joyce McGuire:

Hi, I am Joyce McGuire. I am married to Joe McGuire, whom many of you have met on other Habitat trips. I am happy to be included in the group this time. 

This will be my 5th Global Village build. I have traveled to Guatemala, El Salvador

Bolivia and Argentina on previous builds. But I hear that the Bennett and Mackillop team is away more fun.

I am a retired college teacher, and a stay at home grandmother. I am looking forward to meeting all of you.

Rosie Milito, Susie Simpson and Sue Freiwald:

Hi my name is Rosie Milito.  I am married to Ron Milito who some of you may know. We have two kids -  Michael,  21 yrs. old and Lina,  19  yrs old.  Both of them study at the University of Ottawa with Michael in Human Kinetics and Lina in Psychology and French. Both aspire to be teachers. As well, we have a miniature schnauzer named Carter (Ron named him after a baseball player I don't know).  This will be my third Habitat trip and I am looking forward to seeing many of the old team as well as meeting all the new team members.  I am again looking forward to sharing this wonderful experience with you. This will be special as well as both my sister (Susie) and sister-in-law (Sue) will be on the trip with us. Looking forward to another great experience.

Hello all!   My name is Susie and this will be my very first Habitat for Humanity adventure.  I'm so thankful and excited to be able to share this with my sister Rosie and sister-in-law Sue.  Love them!  Thanks to Tony and Paul for including me in this rewarding and inspiring experience.  I'm looking forward to meeting the incredible team and the chance to help those in need.  See you all in November!

I'm Sue, I'm excited to roll up my sleeves again and help make a difference as my husband Bob looks after our two teenage boys!  This will be my second Habitat trip with this group and I look forward to spending time with all of you, seeing many familiar faces and some new ones.  I've already got my burqa packed.....

Jennifer McLinton

Hi everyone!  My name is Jen McLinton.  This will be my second build with this great crew.  I am fortunate to be travelling again with my better half, Mike Hudson.  Last year’s trip to Guatemala feels like it was just yesterday! Looking forward to meeting the new members who will be joining us this year and can’t wait to catch up with the great people I met last year.  See you in a few weeks!  

Mike Hudson

Cheryl Pettit

Hello team!

Cheryl here.....still living in London, Ontario, and unfortunately still have another couple years to go before retirement!  Until then (and for as long as they'll let me), I'll continue to join the MacKillop/Bennett team, as there is no place I'd rather be in November!  Only a couple of you who I haven't yet had the pleasure of building with....looking forward to meeting you, and to another wonderful year of sweat and tears.  

Counting the weeks............cheers, Cheryl

David 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 6th with Team Bennett and MacKillop. I look forward to seeing my friends from last year’s trip and meeting those new for this year.

Ronald (Ron) Wiltshire

Hi! I'm Ron. Trip #3. 

Okay, not a great picture (I am actually tearing up the driveway and then we made a garage at my son’s house).

The point was, I am hoping we get to use power tools this year. After last year, how about a power wheelbarrow. Better yet, a remote control wheelbarrow! It is all good.

Looking forward to another great experience – new culture, new foods, old and new friends.

Jennifer Ouellette

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.  Yes, Jennie from the block (of Barrhaven) returns to spend another fun filled week of digging, mixing and hauling.  For those of you returning from last year, and I haven't had the pleasure of meeting, I live in Ottawa with my husband of 27 years, John and our 2 children, Matt and Renee.  Matt's a recent graduate of Carleton University with an honours degree in computer science and Renee is finishing her last year of High School.

Renee joined me on a prior trip but I haven't been able to get either of the boys out yet.  Hopefully within one of the coming years!  Can't wait to see everyone, work my a%#** off and build some new memories with great friends!

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. 

Jeff Darwin:

‘One for the other thumb!’ This will be my sixth Habitat trip with Tony & Paul and I’m delighted that ‘Fun Wendy’ is back on board for T&T!

I was born into an entrepreneurial family in Ottawa where I continue to reside with my wife of 28 years; Wendy. Together we have raised three brilliant children; Brad (Aerospace Engineer, BC), Jackie (Registered Nurse, ON), and Allie (Journalist, NS).

Originally a proud graduate of Algonquin College, I have since earned a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute, and a Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Services).

My day-job is leading a 24-branch, 420 person business unit as a Vice President for Scotiabank, including local corporate social responsibilities. Experience also in aviation (private pilot – night rated); amateur sport (Ottawa 67’s), and professional sport (Ottawa Lynx).

Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Other major personal charitable affiliations are the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation and the Ottawa Sport Council.

Wendy Darwin:

John Lindsay:

Mandy Logan:

Habitat’s ‘Hand-up instead of a Hand-out’ philosophy grabbed me years ago.  I am a long time supporter & have worked 2 local Habitat builds in Ottawa.

I love the outdoors & escape there whenever I can: kayaking in Chile;  bushwacking in the amazon;  sailboarding in St. Lucia; sailing in BVI; horseback safariing in Botswana (#1 rule: when you see lion tracks, you go the other way); scuba diving in Tobago; hiking into Machu Pichu, …

Potentially Useful stuff:  I have my ‘Fall’ training certification (IMHO badly named, should be ‘Not falling’ certification, as I’d rather stay on the roof or ladder); fairly good with small gas motors (chainsaws, boat motors, etc)

This is sooooo exciting!!!

(oh, and if it makes you feel any better, my friend in the won’t be joining us)

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, and Sarah. 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 trips to El Salvador and Nicaragua  and Guatemala 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!

Jill Woodley:

Jane Marie Obst:

Year #4....  and I still get the same sense of excitement about working with this team!! 

Looking forward to continuing the great work that gets done in the time we are there. 
Looking forward to reconnecting with old and connecting with new members of the team. 
Looking forward to leaving behind,  if only for a few days, the busy cycle of life we seem to have. 
Looking forward to being gently reminded once more that there is more to life and it is important to give back.