To make matters more challenging, the humidity was relentless and the weather constantly shifted from 90 degree heat to downpours of rain. The longer I was out working on the Habitat work site, the more likely I was vulnerable to all kinds of illness. Considering that this was the first of three big service projects for the duration of the time in Birmingham, I foolishly thought that this project might be the easiest. I was so wrong. I was very sore and my clothes reeked of sweet and the outside environment of a work site. Nevertheless, I had a lot of fun on the Habitat work site... and this was on a Sunday!
On Monday morning, I was put on another project closer than the Wylam Habitat for Humanity location: The Jones Valley Urban Farm (JVUF). The main objective of this farm for us was to rid of all of the diseased or potentially diseased. I thought that working with Habitat while being on a rainy plot of land was going to be wet and dirty labor. I was wrong. I was working in 90+ degree weather with the sun beaming down on me, no wind and a high humidity to boot. The working conditions were not pleasant but the service opportunity had to be completed. Some of the plants were in cages so we had to untangle the plant from the cage and then discard the plant in a pile which was picked up by a person who was in charge of removing all of the debris in a wheelbarrow. From nine in the morning until about three in the afternoon, we worked until all of the tomato plants were in the garbage bin and the area was clean. This was indeed some backbreaking labor.
Tuesday morning... we are headed to the Birmingham Zoo. Once again, we were split into various roles. I picked the harder of the tasks where I had to enter into monkey cages and clean up the mulch inside and put down new mulch. This time, I was in a cooler climate however, I had to wear a surgical mask that looked like a duck bill around my nose and mouth to protect me from the odious aroma and the mulch. It was hard to breathe and was glad when I took the mask. Water filled into the mask from all of the sweat I perspired. I helped clean two cages, home to two kinds of moneys. After cleaning and putting down new mulch, we made "enrichment snacks" for the monkeys in which we hid those "enrichment snacks" throughout the cage. These "enrichment snacks" was lettuce and noodles rolled into a paper towel roll. Afterwards, we were able to tour the zoo as visitors, a reward for all of our hard work through the days.
Wednesday- last day of the Large Scale Service Project. There were a lot of lighthearted and adventurous moments when we took a break from the service and Wednesday was the highlight of it all. Beginning on Saturday when we arrived, we learned our teams, created a team name (White Lightning Rebels of the Lost City of Atlantis, or White Lightning, for short), created a team banner, created a team shout, and made fellowship throughout our Birmingham. We went to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and heard an overview about the different species of plants that exist in the South. We went to the Vulcan right after where we saw all of Birmingham from above. Wednesday was the climactic ending to the Large Scale Service Project. Ironically, there was no real service but a whole bunch of college age students hanging out in Linn Park downtown doing a scavenger hunt of the city. During the scavenger hunt, we ended up at Arts Museum looking for 18th century clocks and visiting the historic Birmingham Public Library. All in all, I was thoroughly satisfied with the 9th annual Circle K International Large Scale Service Project. I cannot wait for the Ohio District's District Service Project which will be held at my school. So stoked!!!!!
In the meantime, take a look at all of the pictures I took at the Large Scale Service Project.
In Service to all Mankind,
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10
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