Having breakfast duty, my team awoke before dawn to serve our comrades. The energy on site was frenetic yet focused — we’re almost done! Six more rows should complete the dome. Minds raced imagining tomorrow’s concluding event while muscles moved as one toward the shared target.
As Mariana says: “One more bag to go! One more bag to go!” propelling each other through exhaustion. Pride swelled seeing our weeks of labor manifest into a singular, breathtaking entity shaped by shared hands.
After placing the final bag and wire, we united atop the peaked structure for an impromptu sunset viewing party — hooting, hollering, hugging. A bittersweet milestone knowing this ephemeral community will soon disperse, though friendships forged here feel lifelong.
Before parting ways I lingered, engraving each view into memory. Tonight a smaller group attended community dinner at Gyanu di’s household. Swaraswati welcomed us like her own as we gathered fireside. My host family’s warmth fueled me through heavy fatigue.
It’s incredible to recall arriving at this camp feeling out of place. Now, I belong. I’ve fallen completely in love with the nurturing essence Conscious Impact radiates. They embody family, weaving bonds between volunteers, village neighbors and environment through devoted sustainability efforts.
Just one more early rise and workday remains for this enriching earthbag build. Though I’ll be back — when the clay plaster adorns walls, I’ll proudly proclaim “I helped build this!” Until then, I’ll savor each fleeting moment among cherished company.