HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - SAN MARCOS, GUATEMALA 2014

STEVE

I have been actively involved with Habitat for Humanity since retirement in 2006. I have led seven international trips: Braga, Portugal (2008); Gisborne, New Zealand (2011); Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2011); Navotas, Philippines (2012); Siem Reap, Cambodia (2013); Buenos Aires, Costa Rica (2013) and Guangzhou, China (2014). I have led and co-led teams to Anchorage, AK; Biloxi, MS; Eagle Butte, SD; Johns Island, SC; also, participated on international teams to Lampang, Thailand and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia as well as U.S. trips to Corvallis, Oregon and Manchester, Vermont.

I live in Roseville, California. My family: daughter and two granddaughters; son and daughter-in-law live nearby in Sacramento, CA. I worked for the State of California for 22 years in the financial field.

I enjoy bicycling, hiking, kayaking and brisk walks. Look forward to meeting and working with everyone on our Habitat adventure to San Marcos, Guatemala!

MEGAN

My name is Megan Teperman and this will be my first experience with Habitat for Humanity. The Global Village Project is an adventure I am ready to take, the timing is finally right. I am most definitely a planner, but I plan time to go on adventures, explore, meet new people, take pictures, make memories, and volunteer in my community. In other words, I plan to be spontaneous, I am decidedly indecisive. The decisions I have made thus far in my short twenty-five years on this planet have led me to a healthy, loving place where I am happily growing and I hope to continue to learn and explore my environment.

I am currently a graduate student hoping (with blood, sweat, and tears) to one day become a psychologist. My program is centered on mental health therapy which will allow me to become a mental health counselor. I have a strong belief that therapy can help most people, maybe not everyone, but it is absolutely my passion and I will fight for it. School is my main focus, my family is just as important. I live with my dad and my brother and the structure of family is very important to me. I will carry that influence in my future career, as well as in my everyday life. Eventually school will be replaced by my career, but I hope to allow traveling and adventures to always be part of my life.

I hope to work with varying cultures, people from different countries. As I progress through my program I find myself gravitating towards working in grief and crisis counseling or working with our veterans and active military in counseling programs. I feel that understanding other people in conjunction with our environment is a balance that is necessary. I cannot wait for this trip to Guatemala and to hopefully experience something beautiful.

DIANA

I was born and grew up in Springfield, Il. Throughout my life I have traveled to England, Ireland and Russia. I had volunteered with Habitat for Humanity on local builds, but I had not traveled in quite a few years. I missed it, so a few years ago I decided to get back into travel by going with Habitat to Guatemala. I became addicted to working with Habitat and I fell in love with the Guatemalan people. This will be my 3rd trip to Guatemala with Habitat.

In my free time I like to cook, go on hikes with my dog Matilda, and I like to work with clay and make jewelry. I am excited to get back to Guatemala and to make new friends on this build. The people I have met through Habitat have been some of the best people I have met in my life. I thoroughly enjoy these experiences.

CHARLENE

After teaching for 32 years, I was able to take early retirement which has provided time for me to pursue other opportunities. I enjoy spending time with my family which includes 4 wonderful nephews. I work part-time at a local golf course during the spring/summer. In addition to golf, I like to ride my bike, swim, read and enjoy the outdoors. I also do volunteer work which includes tutoring at my church and various fund-raising events. This will be my 2nd trip to Guatemala. Last year, I went with our local Habitat team to Huehuetenengo where we helped build a concrete block home for a wonderful family. It was a fantastic experience because in addition to helping with the build we were able to experience another culture.

Since I love to travel, Global Village travel opportunities provide another way to further my experiences outside of the United States. Approximately 20 years ago, I taught in Okinawa, Japan and traveled to several Asian countries as well as Australia. In the last few years, I have taken trips to several European countries with Italy being my favorite. Shortly after I retired, I was able to take a dream trip to South Africa. Again, I was able to experience different cultures as well as enjoy many animal reserve game drives. I am really looking forward to an exciting trip to San Marcos!!!

JEFF

I have been a freelance researcher, writer and editor since 2004. I focus primarily on technical and advocacy publications associated with global public health, in particular HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and health systems infrastructure in the developing world. My clients include various United Nations agencies as well as global and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). Prior to striking out on my own I held "regular" jobs in communications at a handful of New York-based foundations and NGOs, including the Open Society Foundations and Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

This will be my second Habitat for Humanity mission; in June 2013, I was on a build in Macedonia. I've been to more than 70 countries over the past 10 years for work and otherwise, and I lived in South Africa for three years (from 2006 through 2008). Among my favorite places--for varying reasons--are the Balkans, Chile, Iceland and Italy. I've been lucky to have visited all 50 U.S. states; as one who doesn't love hot weather, I am partial to New Hampshire (where I was born and raised), Oregon and Alaska. My favorite cities in the world, of those I've visited: Istanbul, St. Petersburg, New York, Cape Town, Melbourne and Stockholm. I have never yet been to Guatemala, which is one reason I am keen on this trip.

I love to read, especially fiction, and to explore new places--on foot, if possible. I am a fan of college football, hockey and lacrosse, all of which I played at some point in my past. And I go to live theatre (especially plays and musicals) whenever I have the opportunity.

JON

I've been to Honduras and Guatemala on previous Habitat builds. I speak a little Spanish so I prefer trips to Central America. Not much of a builder but I like a good day's work. My favorite aspect of the whole adventure is getting to know like-minded people and building a team.

My wife, Susan and I have been married 22 years and we have 5 children, all grown. Obviously, we had them before we met. Anyway, my two grandchildren are a light in my life and I will bring plenty of pictures. We play tennis together, garden, and enjoy all kinds of music. She's holding down the fort with our Corgi, Lily while I'm away. I'll bring plenty of pictures....(boring!)

Thanks Steve for putting this team together. I can't wait to get started.

SHERYN

For the past 25 years, I've had the privilege of getting to live in my own private Idaho up here in the skinny, north end. I raised 3 daughters here and now grow pines and sunflowers, and watch sunsets. Recently, though, a friend turned me onto the International Space Station app and I'm embarrassed to admit how addicted I've become.

I've been very fortunate in recent years, and I feel like it's about time for me to give some energy back. The Habitat program has always seemed like a good idea to me--during a recent building spree of my own, I was a frequent flier at the local Habitat Restore--so the timing and the "fit" of this build will be a perfect place to start. I've traveled some--Europe (several times and countries), New Zealand, Mexico (many times), Canada, the Mid East ( a million years ago), but have not yet been to Central America.

Most of my travels include some form of cycling and this trip as well. For 2 weeks prior to 'our' build, I will be bicycling from Managua, Nicaragua to Panama City, so will be getting the full meal deal. Go big or go home!

Looking forward to Central America, working with and getting to know you fine folks, building a home for a family to prosper in and becoming a part of Habitat's community.

LYNN

I live in Toronto, Canada, and this is my first build project. I have not been to Guatemala before, but I did go to Nicaragua 25 years ago with a Canadian NGO, Tools for Peace. I have enjoyed traveling independently in many countries, especially Latin American/Caribbean countries - Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Cuba.

I worked for many years in the pension investment business, until I started my own consulting firm in 2002. Two years ago, I wound down my business and "retired". So, I have more time to devote not just to travel, but to giving my time and energy directly. Habitat was one place I wanted to give.

I love to hike, canoe, kayak, read, and curl.

ANNE-MARIE

I live in Toronto and have had the privilege of working on two Habitat for Humanity Women Build events here---what a great time! I'm interested in and curious about lots of things and usually just brave enough (!) to jump in and give them a try. Some favorite travel spots include Iceland, Norway, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Croatia.

On the home front, for fun I like to play hockey and sing in a choir and am also thrilled to be working in a supporting role for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.

This is my first "real work" trip and I'm looking forward to joining everyone mixing mortar, carrying cinder block, making walls or whatever we'll be doing in support of local families.

TAREK

I'm originally Lebanese with Irish roots--lucky to have lived in London (birth), Lebanon (school), Montreal (University), and Dubai for the past 6 years (work).

I am a sports' enthusiast and lover of nature/the outdoors. Family and friends are always in top priority; including helping others whenever/wherever possible. This will be my first time with Habitat for Humanity and thrilled about it. However, I have done several pieces of charity work involving aid of children of Ghaza in different ways--mainly through Cycling and Trecking for a cause.

This trip comes at a very important phase of my life--I have decided to start a new one by moving to Lausanne and shifting paths--studying/working in the sports industry. Currently in Dubai but will be based in Switzerland as of January 2015.

Would love for you to get know me better before the trip by visiting www.facebook.com/tsaidi. Till then, wish you well and looking forward to teaming up.

Finally, will be extending my trip to explore its surroundings for whoever is interested?