Canadian Ambassador Joins Ontario Builders on Humanitarian Build in the Dominican Republic 

TORONTO - Thanks to almost 200 Ontario home builders and their families, six needy families in the Dominican Republic have moved into their solid, safe and clean modest new homes. Members of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) spent four days building six homes in a poor neighbourhood in Nuevo Renacer during the organization’s week-long November 22-29, 2011 Conference and Humanitarian Build.
“This was an exhilarating, fulfilling and awesome experience,” said OHBA President, Doug Tarry who added, “Our Humanitarian Build is an extension of the wonderful philanthropic work that our members are involved with each and every day in their own communities across the province.”
Tarry noted that their group garnered a lot of attention from media on the Caribbean Island, especially when the Canadian Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Todd Kuiack, his wife, and two children joined the group for two days, assisting with the build. “Ambassador Kuiack was there with us along with hundreds of people in the neighbourhood when we handed over the keys to six incredibly happy and grateful families which was joyous occasion and an extremely emotional moment for all of us.”
Participants in the Humanitarian Build partnered with local contractors and Absolute Hero Holidays, completing the homes on schedule despite heavy rains, muddy streets and limited access to modern tools and equipment.

Dan Gabriele (right), Vice-President of Marz Homes, and Dan Hendriks, Construction Manager for Mountainview Homes, parge a wall on a newly built home in the Dominican Republic. The OHBA held its 2011 Conference and Annual Build project in the Dominican Republic from November 22 to 29. Nearly 200 Ontario home builders and their families attended the build, creating homes for families in need.