International Teamwork: The Importance of Service on Semester at Sea

The Semester at Sea work group boarded a bus and set out for Mfuleni –  a township about 30 minutes to the southeast of Cape Town. With the slab foundation, concrete block walls and window frames already in place, the job for the day was to put a build a roof.

The team of workers erected roof joists, secured the water barrier, painted fascia board, and attached clay tile to the structure.  Some used hammer, saw and paint brush, others formed a human chain to move materials from storage locations to the roof, while yet others entertained the rather sizeable group of township children that the Semester at Sea team attracted.

Mid-way through the work day, the work party went on a walking tour through the township.  The project leader pointed out several other Habitat houses and even prevailed upon one homeowner to give the group a tour.  Her pride of ownership was evident as she showed the many improvements that had made to the dwelling.

By late afternoon, the roof had been completed and it was time to leave.  As the group boarded the bus for the return to the ship, there was a universal feeling that in some small way they had done something worthwhile. Apparently, the township children felt the same as they ran after the bus waving good bye. A second Semester at Sea work party would arrive the next day to complete construction details and officially dedicate the building.