[nabs-l] volunteering and missions

Darian Smith dsmithnfb at gmail.com
Mon Dec 21 23:46:22 UTC 2009


 Hi all,
  Robert:  I think what you've done is nothing small, there are many
people  who  might not flinch at the prospect of   going overseas as
they may not  find the need there ( people don't see the need in this
country, in their citys or around them.  Of course site has nothing to
do with it, people just don't take the time to make themselves aware
of what  is lacking in our situations/other situations and realize
that they are more empowered to do than they even think they are
themselves.

 Ashley:  habitat builds are  things I would love to do.  I served in
the national civilian community  corps (An AmeriCorps program) and
did some environmental work in colorado; building trails and  clearing
wood (halling slash).  I also did  construction work as a part of  a
project in   south Texas and  was a part of a constructional
restoration project in central Alabama.  In both alabama and texas, I
used your Standardhammer and nail gun.  I also used a hand sander and
painted.  Using powertools or even simple hand tools arn't very
difficult; you just have to get the hang of it.  My understanding of
habitat builds are that  they do train people before  they do take on
the job so if you don't know, it's okay because you arn't the only
person knowing.
   Best,
  Darian

On 12/21/09, Robert Jaquiss <rjaquiss at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hello Ashley:
>
>      About all I was able to do in Dominica was to deliver a brailler to a
> deaf-blind girl, send a few books and eventually arrange for three people to
> come to the 1999 NFB convention. I regret that I was unable to do more.
>
>
>      I am totally blind and have been so from birth. About all I did for
> roofing our house, was to help carry up the eighty pound bundles of
> shingles. As for tool use, my Father showed me how to use tools. When
> hammering, I hold the nail betwene thumb and finger and hit the head with
> the hammer. Once the nail is started, it is possible with practice to keep
> hitting it. You could also use a pair of pliers to hold the nail. The sound
> of a nail being hammered changes as it goes into the wood. I have not worked
> with concrete or bricks. I am not sure its a good idea to get concrete on
> hands for an extended period of time. As a blind person, I do want to be
> careful of my hands and not get calluses especially on my fingers. This
> would make reading braille awkward.
>
> Merry Christmas,
>
> Robert
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 2:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] volunteering and missions
>
>
>> Hi Robert,
>>
>> Thanks for sharing your experience.  I figured this was doable; after all
>> it seems  a pretty tactual thing.
>>
>> What did you do to help the blind population in
>> Dominica?  That is a poor island so I imagine much needed to be done
>> including getting them supplies.
>>
>> That is impressive you assisted your father and helped on a church trip.
>> Have you always been blind?  I have some central vision, but would do this
>>
>> sort of thing nonvisually because its safer.
>>
>> For the roofing did you do anything differently other than use your sense
>> of touch?  Have you mixed and laid concrete or bricks?
>>
>> How did you learn this stuff?  Did someone show you?  How do you hammer?
>> You can touch the nail but cannot do so while you are hammering.  Maybe
>> you check your progress with your free hand after hammering a little bit.
>> I am in VA and Baltimore is near me; maybe I'll contact that chapter for
>> tips if I have the opportunity to do a mission or Habitat house.
>>
>> BTW I am also a United Methodist.  What a coinsidence.  My home church
>> sends a mission team each summer to help repair buildings on the Lokota
>> Indian reservation.  I am not into going overseas, at least not now.
>> There is enough to keep me busy in America.
>>
>> Ashley
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Robert Jaquiss" <rjaquiss at earthlink.net>
>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 11:01 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] volunteering and missions
>>
>>
>>> Hello Ashley:
>>>
>>>     I have done some volunteer and missions work. I am currently the
>>> Missions chairman for Faith United Methodist Church in West Monroe,
>>> Louisiana. One Saturday each month, I help distribute food as part of our
>>>
>>> work with Angel Food Ministries. As the Missions Chairman, I also deal
>>> with a small budget and hold periodic meetings.
>>>
>>>     When I lived in Oregon, I went with a church group to help winterize
>>> a house. I am familiar with the use of hand tools and I installed screw
>>> on weather stripping which included a bottom door gasket. We also
>>> installed plastic sheeting on the inside of the windows and I got the
>>> difficult window that had an airconditioner in it.
>>>
>>>     In 1996, I went by myself on a short trip to the Commonwealth of
>>> Dominica to investigate the needs of the blind living on that island. It
>>> was quite an experience and I was able to provide a little help.
>>>
>>>     If I recall correctly, members of the Greater Baltimore chapter of
>>> the NFB helped install vinyl siding on a Habitat for Humanity house. The
>>> report I heard was that they did a very good job.
>>>
>>>     My thoughts on this sort of work are that doing some planning is a
>>> good thing. Learn how to use hand tools. We can certainly hammer nails,
>>> drive screws, cut boards etc. I have installed a garbage disposal,
>>> kitchen sink faucets, a new bathroom sink and cabinet including all the
>>> plumbing. When I was twelve, I laid the decking for an eight by
>>> twenty-one foot deck. I have helped my Father roof a house and also
>>> helped with other maintenance. In case you wonder, I am totally blind. If
>>>
>>> you want to go overseas, I suggest trying a domestic opportunity first.
>>> Go with an organization that has a good track record and experienced
>>> leadership. Study about where you want to go, learn about the culture,
>>> the food eaten etc. Of course learning a foreign language is also
>>> helpful. Hope this helps.
>>>
>>> Merry Christmas,
>>>
>>> Robert Jaquiss
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 8:01 PM
>>> Subject: [nabs-l] volunteering and missions
>>>
>>>
>>>>    Hi all,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> This list is sure quiet.  I was thinking this is the time of giving
>>>> around the holidays.  Have you participated in an outreach project?
>>>> Anyone done Habitat for Humanity and if so what did you do and what
>>>> alternative techniques did you use?  Can we hammer and drill safely?
>>>>
>>>> For those of you who are religious, have you been on mission trips?  I
>>>> would like to do that someday.  So far I have been to a shelter to serve
>>>>
>>>> lunch with my church.  I have volunteered for the talking book library
>>>> and political campaigns.  So what are you all doing lately?  I hope to
>>>> hear someone has done Habitat because that is something I am interested
>>>> in but I don't know how I can contribute.  I think I could paint  and
>>>> mix and lay concrete outside.  Look forward to your responses.
>>>>
>>>> Ashley
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>>
>>
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