Habitat for Humanity Day 4

Scenes from UW-Parkside at Habitat Texas.

Editor's note: A group of students from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, under the supervision of Chris Zanowski, was in Bryan/College Station, Texas, over spring break building homes with Habitat for Humanity. Ranger Today reporter Jackie Wah was part of the group and she filed this report on Day 4 of Habitat Texas.

Here are quotes from the family we're serving and some of the crew who have helped including an exchange student/crew member Sarah Greener from Germany.

THE MOM:

My name is Tango. I am a proud homeowner of a Habitat house. I'm from Bryan, Texas. We need to put in 500 hours of "sweat equity" to help build our home for me and my kids. It means a lot to me to have college students out here helping to build my house. My home is supposed to be done at the end of July. 

THE SON:

My name is Fave. I am a high school student at A&M Consolidated in College Station, Texas. The Habitat home we are working on is my mom's house. I am happy about the Habitat home because my mom is happy. I am helping on the home during my spring break and trying to stay out of trouble. It encourages me to have college students working with me on the home because it shows they are helpful.

VOLUNTEERS:

Jim Davis, building supervisor

My name is Jim Davis. I retired the first time from military intelligence. And I retired a second time from Texas A&M as a professor of fisheries. I have volunteered with Habitat since they started in 1989. My church built the first house. When we started we didn't know what we were doing. A lot of learning had to go on. I became the Bryan, Texas, building supervisor in 1996.

It means a heck of a lot to me to have college students working on the site because they are willing to put in the time and the energy. The reason I say that is that I take church groups and other groups and they have to be committed to building houses. Basically, this is essentially my work and my pastime now. I just appreciate Parkside bringing students down and especially the leadership on the trip. 

Sarah Greener, exchange student

I was excited to go on the trip. I wasn't sure exactly what it meant to "build houses." I was surprised that we were so busy which was a good thing because we learned a lot. I learned how to use a power saw and nail gun. I have a lot of respect for the nail gun because it is so powerful but I also learned safety techniques. All in all, it was my best decision to go on this spring break.

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ABOUT THIS STORY:

Story Status: Archived
Publish date: 3/19/2012

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