Habitat for Humanity: How to Make a Difference in Four Hours

I’ve been a fan of Cristen and Molly’s blog from the beginning. So when I heard that Jessika and I would be taking the reins, I was thrilled. Come on, who wouldn’t want to write about handy how-to stuff in a fun, entertaining forum? But at the same time, I was a bit intimidated — these are some pretty witty shoes to fill. OK, I’ll be blunt — it also sort of scares the bejeesus out of me since for the last year, I’ve mostly discarded my writer’s hat for my editor one. This past Saturday, though, I had some time to reassess both my writing and DIY abilities. I had one of the most exhilarating and empowering experiences of my volunteering life. Oh, and I learned some new stuff along the way, too. Like how to properly use a hammer.

As part of a Women Build project for Habitat for Humanity, I joined about 10 other women and we built a wall. Yes, a wall. Not just any wall, either. It’s going to be the front master bedroom wall for a single mom of three. And we did this in about four hours. We built several window frames, too. But the wall is especially meaningful. It’s easy to imagine what it would be like to wake up just inside the shelter of that wall, under the big picture window bathed in the bright, happy glow of morning light, looking out on the other pretty homes lining the cul-de-sac.

This wasn’t my first experience with Habitat for Humanity. Over the years, I’ve painted walls, window frames and doors, planted shrubs, and spread mulch. And each time, I was rewarded with a sense of joy, camaraderie and the satisfaction of a job well done. But the wall took all that to a whole new level. Maybe it’s because I was actually helping build something this time. Or maybe it’s because this house is being built primarily by female volunteers.

A unit within Habitat for Humanity International, Women Build aims to empower and educate women while battling the poverty housing situation.  The very first women-built Habitat house was constructed in Charlotte, N.C., in 1991. Today, Women Build volunteers can proudly say they have more than 1,650 houses (and counting) under their tool belts. If you want to find out more, you can check out their Web site.

Oh, and for those of you who want to know the secret to good hammering – it’s all in how you hold the hammer. Don’t place your hand too close to the hammer’s head. You want to start out in the middle, and once the nail’s just set, move your hand closer to the base of the handle.