John Neath

I am 53 years old, married to Melanie for 30 years, a father of 4 and a grandfather of 3. I am leader of a company called JJ Bean which has 10 retail stores in Vancouver and wholesales to 300 other locations across Canada.

This will be my 4^th Habitat trip and my 6^th visit to Guatemala. Sadly I still do not speak Spanish ...... which is understandable given that my daughter says that I barely speak English.

The picture included is with my oldest son (if there is any confusion, I am on the right).

Looking forward

John

Ron de la Hey

Hi, I'm Ron, a retired accountant living in Virden, Manitoba. Before moving to Virden 5 years ago I lived most of my life in Saskatchewan except for a previous year in Manitoba and a year in Kenya with my life-partner, Jan.

I'm a member of the Habitat Virden Steering Committee which is preparing for Virden's first Habitat build.

I enjoy wilderness canoeing, camping, fishing, cross country skiing and gardening. I like travelling and have travelled in Africa, Asia, Cuba and the U.K. I've been on study tours in Jamaica and Nicaragua. In 2007 Jan and I were on a Global Village build in Honduras ( where we met Doug) and in 2008 I was on a build in El Salvador.

I'm looking forward to being in Guatemala with Jan and our niece, Becky, reconnecting with Doug and meeting the rest of you.

Becky Van A.

Hello, my name is Becky Van Aertselaer. I am 20 years old and was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Over the past couple of years I have been on a few disaster relief trips with CRWRC but this is my first H4H trip and I must say I am pretty excited! I was invited to come along with my Aunt and Uncle, though I am finding my life very busy at the moment, what with planning a wedding, working full time at a cafe, and trying to purchase a house with my fiance, I decided this is an opportunity I could not pass up! As well as I whole heartedly believe in helping those less fortunate than myself in whatever way I can. I am looking forward to traveling, and spending time with my Aunt and Unlce as well as the rest of you!

Luc Paquette

Hi, here is my photo and a little about myself.

I am 24 years old and just graduated from University this past December with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree. This is my first HFH trip and I am looking forward to meeting everyone and enjoying this new experience.

Luc

Dale Winder

Hi everyone.I own and operate a grain farm about 50KM south west of Saskatoon.I grow lentils,peas,canola,hulless barley and wheat.In the past Ihave grown flax, mustard, alfalfa seed ,sainfoin seed and grass seed.I have some pasture land that I custom graze.I enjoy most out door activities biking,hicking,windsurfing,downhill and crosscountry skiing.I love to travel and have been to Australia,New Zealand,Japan,Europe,Central and South America.I am excited about this project with h4h,my first.I look foreward to meeting all the team members.Dale Winder.

Beth Nicholson

Hi I'm Beth. I'm retired and live in Toronto. I grew up in the country (now part of Toronto) so enjoy being in the outdoors. I like most outdoor activities, cycling, windsurfing, canoeing kayaking, camping, skiing, both downhill and cross country. Randel I even like shoveling snow. I spend a fair bit of time visiting my mother, who will be 105 the end of April. She enjoys having discussion about world events and of course reminiscing. I have a small cabin on an island without electricity. Last summer I spent most of my time at the cottage watching the loons that were nesting in a little bay by my dock. For the past eight years I've been going out west at harvest time to drive the grain truck for Dale. This will be my first Global Village trip.

Doug Clark profile

Hello fellow team members. I am a retired Chartered Accountant and I have resided in Mississauga for the last 23 years.
My wife Terry and I have been married for 36 years and we have raised four wonderful daughters. Last May we became first-time grandparents with the arrival of a son (he's the good looking one in the picture) to our eldest daughter & her husband. If you can't tell by the grin on my face, I can provide a wholehearted endorsement of the benefits of grandfatherhood.

My working career included 8 years in public accounting and 22 years in the construction/real estate industry, most recently as CFO with a large general contractor. I retired from active employment in September 2004. In early 2005, I became involved with the establishment of a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Mississauga. This quickly became nearly as consuming as my paid employment had been but it has been infinitely more rewarding. I am currently the Board Chair of the affiliate - a role which I have held since 2007.

I curl twice a week in the winter and putter around the yard in summer as well as play a little golf. Retirement has also given my wife and I the flexibility to travel more frequently; most often on Caribbean cruises and to Hawaii.

This will be my 3rd Global Village trip and I'm looking forward to sharing this experience with my youngest daughter Tara. The previous trips were to El Salvador in 2008 and Honduras in 2007 (Jan & Ron were fellow team members on that trip).

I grew up on a farm so I’ve had lots of experience using a shovel and wheelbarrow - experience that I fully expect to put to use in Guatemala. I am looking forward to meeting all of you (and catching up with Jan & Ron) and sharing the Global Village experience in Guatemala.

Doug Clark

Jan Van Aertselaer

I'm Jan and I'm a rural dweller. I live in the town of Virden, in Manitoba, near the Saskatchewan border. The population is 3500, which is quite large compared to other places I have lived on the prairies, mostly in Saskatchewan. I'm 57 ... my 58th birthday will happen while we're in Guatemala. I began my working life as a social worker in Winnipeg and then studied theology at the University of Toronto. For thirty years I have worked as a minister within the United Church of Canada. When I'm not working, I love to be in the natural world. My favourite activities are wilderness canoeing, camping and swimming. I am very concerned about the health of the planet and I try to do what I can to contribute to its well-being. I read a lot, and I've had many opportunities to travel in Africa, Asia, Europe and Central America, as well as Canada. For a year I lived and worked in Kenya with my life-partner, Ron. In 2007 we participated in a Habitat build in Honduras. I'm looking forward to being part of this build along with Ron and our niece Rebecca.

PAT MOORE

My name is Patricia Moore and I’m usually called Pat. I am a retired teacher-librarian and now do a bit of supply teaching. For many years I worked in elementary schools in Paris Ontario, where I live and also in Brantford, a neighbouring town. As well as doing a bit of supply teaching I am quite involved in volunteering - at the local museum, with the Paris Friends of the Library group, the local horticultural society, and also with meals on wheels.

My other interests include gardening, canoeing, cross-country skiing, skijoring (skiing with dogs) and of course, reading (I am a librarian). I love to travel and if I can combine travel with volunteering, all the better. This is the second time that I have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the first time being with a build last May in Paraguay. Previous to that I have done volunteer teaching in China where I taught English to adults. I have been part of an Earthwatch volunteer project in India which involved plants and traditional medicine. I began my teaching career on Manitoulin Island in Ontario teaching grade 8 to native students.

I have a Brittany spaniel and a spoiled cat (no kids - my husband passed away many years ago).

The attached photo shows me in one of my favourite places -beside the Grand River which flows through Paris and is very close to where I live. I love to walk or cycle along this river with Stella, my dog, and in winter take to the ski trail with her. In fact, I’m about to do that again this afternoon. Let it snow!