Well the Young Detroit Builders(YDB) came and we had a three day "retreat" for them. It was very exciting to meet these young Detroiters. They all joined YDB to get their GED and to learn vocational skills such as various construction trades. Actually currently we are staying in a house for sale in Detroit renovated by them, I have to say they do great work. The program for the three days consisted of many things such as various discussions on topics like "community gardening". We also did a couple ice breakers which helped break the initial segregation between IICD and YDB. The last night we had a culture night with groups presenting on S. Korea, Brazil, Japan and Detroit. The Detroit presentation was particularly interesting and after it was finished it led to nearly and hour and a half worth of question-answer-discussion. In the end of the three days I had played a lot of ping pong and had some really great conversations with many people, it was very enlightening.
Also within that time Andra had her phone stolen which put a damper on the mood but was an interesting experience. I announced to everyone that it was gone and all the YDBs suggested we check all the rooms and search everyone. We did and nothing showed up. But after YDBs left we found it and were pretty sure we knew exactly who stole it **danish ***kids***cough, cough***. So it worked out.
Now Team Parrot has been in Detroit since Monday staying in a YDB house. We have been working in the IICD warehouse. IICD has a warehouse in Detroit to collect clothes as well as organize books. They hire workers and have nearly 350 clothes bins in Detroit. The importance for working and getting acquainted with the warehouse is because that's where a large part of the funding for the school comes from. So we have been going out with the drivers assisting them with collecting clothes as well as dropping off IICD newsletters to the retailers that host the clothes bins and asking them if there is any problems. In this way we are able to become familiar with our organization on a deeper level and also make sure the "hosts" are happy and informed on why exactly it's good to have the box there. With the books that have been donated, Andra has been finding many organizations who are in need so we can re-donate books to them (IICD doesn't sell books but gives donated books away). Tomorrow we will be dropping off many books and
Since the beginning of fundraising we have hit the ground running with no end in sight. It's very tiring but I'm starting to get used to it, and also it's forcing me to face and overcome stress and work on being relaxed in a fast paced environment. This is the life of a Poverty Fighter.
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