Day 5

Today is the day for handling over the key to the owner. We were all dressed in our Sunday best for the occasion.

Pips is 83 years old and I am 68. He came from Blenheim on the South Island and he was our oldest builder. We clicked as soon as we met at Auckland airport while waiting for our flight on 3rd August, 2012. He taught me to do the high-5 and other fun things like drinking Carlsberg beer instead of water.

The completed house looks good! It has room for extension to add a second bedroom on the left side. If the owner wishes to do so in the future, he can knock out one wall for a door and he will have a 2 bedroom house with a dining room at the rear.

The team with Anna on the last day.

Another team with their family.

They couldn't wait for their house to be built and have been living in this shack on the site for the past few months, guarding the site and materials.

The Japanese team on stage. There was not enough room for the Kiwi team of 97 to perform the Haka. We did it outside on an open space.

A reward for our efforts, to be shared among 97 participants!

The hand over ceremonies.

Another group photo for the album before cutting the ribbon.

Each member had a turn at [cutting] the ribbon.

Anna finally cut it and we entered the house for a ceremony.

We lit an oil lamp

and boiled some coconut milk for good luck.

We said a short prayer together, wishing Anna all the best for her future.

One final photo and then we board the bus for our hotel. Tomorrow, Christine and I begin a 5 day tour of Sri Lanka before going home to NZ. We intended to see some elephants, visit a tea plantation and see a tooth of Buddha.