Habitat for Humanity

[TLinden16]

Has anyone ever done a Habitat for Humanity build? I did a build with a group from work today, and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It was a lot of hard work--framing walls, installing cabinet blocks, moving a lot of lumber. I learned a lot, and it was neat to see what's behind the walls in a home. Some members of our team even climbed up on the roof to put on the plywood below the shingles.

The parents of the family who will be living in the home were building along side us. It was neat talking to them, and learning more about their family. They are so excited about the house, and they really worked hard on it today. It's going to be close to a year before they'll live in it, but it's going to be an amazing home for them and their family.

I'm sore, and exhausted from all the hard work, but it sure was a fun and educational experience. I'd definitely do it again.

 

[Sonya]

I do this every year with a group of high schoolers. The kids love it!

 

[ilovejack02]

I did it for the first time a few months ago. It was a horrible experience. It was a women's build and the supervisor on site was as clueless as all the woman there. She was horrible, anytime I would ask a question and get instructions it turned out it was wrong and we would have to do the work all over again. I WAS NOT HAPPY!
I am sad that was my first experience, I was hoping to have a better one .

 

[dzorn]

I have not, but DH has several times. He's more handy with a hammer. I usually send him with a cooler full of drinks and sandwiches. I would love to help more but with two DD at home, it's one parent at a time.

Denise in MI

 

[Florida_Mom]

I have done this several times with my church. Every time it has been an amazing experience. One year, I even took our church youth group to North Carolina to work on 2 Habitat houses there.

What I love about doing this is that it seems so real and tangible - helping someone build their house -- AND that it is a neighborhood project. The people getting the house have to put in sweat equity and so do the Habitat neighbors (at least in the Habitat community we have here). This fosters a tremendous amount of pride and ownership among residents of the community that keep these communities really watching out for and helping one another.

 

[KristaTX]

Sounds like you had a fun and memorable time, Karen . A group of us from church participated on a Habitat house one Saturday this past summer. We were mostly putting up siding, and the young homeowner was working right alongside us. Some other people who were also Habitat recipients were also helping us . Aside from choosing what felt like the hottest day of the year , it was a wonderful experience . I'd do it again someday (preferably on a spring or fall day).