Let's Meet Team USA!

Team USA, 2016 edition, comes to you from Wisconsin.  Here they are, starting from the left:

Kerri Nevala is an office professional who works for Fox Valley Technical College and assists the Department of Workforce Development in coordinating the apprenticed trade contracts and insuring that the apprentices are assigned to the proper classes at the College. Kerri will bring her skills of mutli-tasking, coordinating, attention to details, and great ability to communicate to the team!

Kerri says, " I'm anxious for this experience because I know it will be both rewarding and will make me appreciate what I have."

Lila Johnson is a senior in Civil Engineering, specializing in environmental engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering. Lila will bring engineering, construction management, and plan preparation to the team!

Lila says, "I am very anxious to travel further and be able to interact with other cultures."

Tyler Zeh is a 4th year plumbing apprentice with August Winters and Sons of Appleton, WI and also a member of Local 400, Plumbers and Steamfitters. Along with his plumbing skills, Tyler will bring his welding background and job layout abilities to the team!

Tyler says,"I am excited to hopefully be able to help the people of Diepsloot"

Peter Sedlar is a 4th year plumbing apprentice for K. Kelly Plumbing out of Green Bay. Peter will bring both his residential and commercial plumbing skills and efficiency in getting the job done right to the team!

Pete says,"we will have to take our time with decisions and ideas we have in Diepsloot and make sure to look at every situation we're involved with from every angle to come up with the best solutions that are fair and benefit everyone as well as possible."

Lurking behind Team USA and offering support, are our coaches:

Randy Lorge says, " I am happily married to a wonderful woman and we have one incredible son. I'm also a 3rd generation plumber and Master plumber for the state of Wisconsin who has taught plumbing code to young apprentices for over a decade and a half. I live my life and model my teaching to ensure that future generations of plumbers will continue to protect the health and safety of the world through the installation and design of safe plumbing 

                                           systems. 

For Randy, "Knowing that our work will have a positive impact on the Diepsloot community, and that we made, as small it may seem, a difference in someone’s life, that’s all I need to get ready."

     Doug Nelson, seen here holding one of the new twin grandchildren, says, "the best thing about the trips I have taken has been learning those other cultures.  I have yet to be on one of these trips where I don’t feel guilty afterwards.  In most cases I have traveled to help others and find that they have helped me far more than I have helped them." 

     Doug teaches Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management at Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Martha Nelson currently lives in Pocahontas, Arkansas, and is the 

Vice President for Student Affairs at Black River Technical College. Her picture shows her with ANOTHER twin grandchild!  For Martha, working on cross-cultural issues is intensely important.  She says, "it is so crucial to slow down and acclimate to the rhythms of life. For Americans, slowing down is incredibly difficult, but not being willing to slow down is perceived as immensely arrogant and aggressive by most other cultures.  I have learned to listen and walk with an awareness that we miss in our daily life here."