John O’Connor – Foreman

John travelled in Haven’s advance party to Haiti to prepare for the arrival of 260 Irish volunteers for Build it Week. Below is his blog, starting on the day he left Dublin for the 4,000-mile journey to Haiti

Wed 21st October

I arrived at Dublin airport at 7:15AM this morning – first to arrive. Thanks Theresa x, Teresa & Margie for getting me there. I’m a bit nervous being a foreman and facing into the unknown so I size up the other trade foremen as they arrive.

I know Mike from Galway. He’s a good mate. We’ve worked together as volunteers before. How does he put up with me? I don’t know! In fairness all the foremen seem to be very sound lads. I’d say we’ll get on fine. I hope we can get the right balance of hard work and play and make this an unforgettable experience for us all.

Thanks to all the people who helped me fundraise at home and hi to all my family (especially Jack, Luke, Adam & Kate). See you soon

Fri 23rd October

Yesterday was another long day on the road. Having spent all day Wed in the air, we spent about 8 hours yesterday on a mini-bus. We went from Santiago to Puerto Plata then across the border to Haiti.

We me some of the Haven people yesterday. All very nice. The Haven house is a dive J Our little houses aren’t bad except the site conditions were rough. Four inches of rain fell on Wed so you can imagine. Olive Cummins seems very capable in her job. Our security team are big men, Steve, John & Greg especially!

I have showered just before I started writing this and the sweat is dripping off me as I write, and it’s only 5am. Breakfast is going to be peanuts and water – or beer (only joking) as Alan McKenna (a great chef) hasn’t the kitchen set up yet. Homer Simpson would love this diet.

Sat 24th Oct

Everyone is working very hard. Olive and Brian put in a twenty-hour shift yesterday. Brian McCarthy and Mike are trying to prepare the beds and nets.

Ronan is plumbing everything in sight. Ronnie is working with the JCB. Paul is all over the place and Michael is a great lad too. Declan is snagging everything. I hope the volunteers appreciate the effort all the lads are putting in.

The kitchen is nearly ready now and Alan really is a great chef! We still haven’t gotten around to getting a plan together for the new houses to be constructed next week, but it’s a blast and I’m glad I’m here. We will get there in the end.

Mon 26^th Oct – 2:45am

The large group of volunteers arrived last night. George Hook gave a speech that made us proud to be here and proud to be Irish. Things went well yesterday, we had out panic moments, but we got through it.

Finally myself and Declan (the other foreman) got to sit down for a few hours and draw up a schedule for the week ahead. If Brian Cowen needed a man to organise a plan to get Ireland out of the current recession, then he should talk to Declan.

Declan has brilliant organisation skills and never seems to panic in any situation. We are meeting at 6am to finalise a few things, so I’d better get some sleep.

It was nice to meet some old friends who arrived with the big group – they brought some supplies I was short. Thanks for that!

Hi to all at home again

Mono 26^th Oct – evening time

While I admire Declan’s organisation skills, he also admires my ability to source unavailable materials and tools on site…. Shovels, power saw, trowels etc.

Things are going well on site, very smooth for day one. I sat down with Leslie Buckley this evening and had a good old chat. I might keep him on again next year, if he plays his cards right/

Good night now, it’s 10pm, myself and Paul have cooked up a plan to get a head start in the morning.

Luke, don’t forget to feed princess.