Habitat for Humanity: the Gift of Hope. Vanya Choumanova Professor Ford Contextual Analysis November 14, 2001

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1 Habitat for Humanity: the Gift of Hope Vanya Choumanova Professor Ford Contextual Analysis November 14, Vanya Choumanova. Reprinted by permission. 1

2 Vanya Choumanova PWR 1- Community Matters Professor Ford Essay 2 Contextual Analysis November 14, 2001 Habitat for Humanity: The Gift of Hope Two months after arriving in the United States from Bulgaria, my family moved into a small, hardly furnished, brick apartment in Ossining, New York. This was our new home, but we were ashamed of it. The floor was worn out, and our living room consisted of a gray, dingy couch. I had known that living in America would be a sacrifice for my family, but I had no idea that it would come down to this. My mother was fired from her first job at the Bagel Emporium, and my dad couldn t find anyone else who needed his/her house painted. We began to think that maybe we should return to Bulgaria. America, obviously, wasn t the dream we had envisioned. All of a sudden, our only American friend, Jack, came over with some brochures that advertised Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization, which provided simple, decent and affordable housing. We were thrilled. I still remember my mom running around the kitchen, holding that small piece of hope in her hands, telling us: We can build our home, our new home! And people will help us. It will only take 500 hours of labor. We were the perfect candidates: we needed a home, we were willing to work in partnership with Habitat, especially since my dad was an engineer and knew about housing facilities, and we were promising candidates, who would pay the no- interest mortgage on time. And then, quite unexpectedly, both of my parents were offered prestigious jobs. My mother was hired as a chemistry teacher in a nearby high school, and my father had the opportunity to work as a lab supervisor in Pace University. Instead of participating in Habitat, we decided to save money and buy a house. This way, we were also giving the chance to another family to be involved with Habitat. Because my family chose not to engage in the project, to this day I don t know what it s like to build a home and to be supported by hundreds of volunteers. But I do know that the belief in Habitat for Humanity kept my family going: it gave us faith that we could survive in America, and it was a verification that compassionate people would always lend us a hand. Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) seeks to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat has built more than 100,000 houses around the world, including 30,000 houses across the United States (Plastic Engineering). The houses are affordable because they are sold at no profit, and many corporations, individuals, and faith groups provide financial support. HFHI is not a give-away 2002 Vanya Choumanova. Reprinted by permission. 2

3 program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor sweat equity into building their houses. Habitat welcomes all volunteers as they build simple and affordable houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. Homeowner families are chosen according to their need, their ability to repay the no-profit mortgage, and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. In addition, HFHI is currently involved in the campaign More than houses: rebuilding our communities. This fundraising campaign will help Habitat reach its goal and build 100,000 more houses by the end of 2005 ( Building More Than Houses ). Habitat also helps in the long-term recovery of those who have been affected by a disaster and tries to rebuild each family s security for the future. Thus, HFHI recognizes that decent, permanent housing remains a necessity long after relief organizations have completed their work. Generally, there are three ways to increase the ability of families to buy a home: decreasing the interest rates, making the down payment lower, or providing a down payment subsidy to homebuyers. Habitat for Humanity tries to provide decent homes for as many people as possible by carrying out all three approaches. Furthermore, the homeowners monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses. This way, the new homeowners engage in helping others who desperately need a home as well. Habitat for Humanity is also one of the most important contributors to the well being of home-ownership rates, which were at a high 66 % for the year 2000 (WIN News). And even though this indicates that 2/3 of the population of the United States owns homes, many families cannot afford mortgage payments or property taxes and are struggling to pay their rent. Without a change in housing costs or an increase in wages, decent housing will always be out of reach for many working families. As a result, there is a growing gap between those who live in a stable environment and are part of mainstream society, and those who have been left behind. Habitat for Humanity s efforts are examples of how people can close the gap between these two communities. Unfortunately, this problem is growing faster than the collective efforts of Habitat and those who address housing needs. So, how is it possible for a single organization to assist families all over the world? Habitat for Humanity s work is accomplished at the community level by affiliates independent, locally run, nonprofit organizations. Each affiliate coordinates aspects of habitat home building in its local area by fund raising and selecting both the building sites and the partner families. There are more than 1900 active affiliates in 79 countries ( Habitat for Humanity Factsheet ). Hundreds of volunteers perform community service for each of the affiliates, and it is not without a reason that those volunteers are known as angels with tool belts Vanya Choumanova. Reprinted by permission. 3

4 I had the chance to speak to two such angels, who are students at Stanford University and help out at one of the affiliates nearby Redwood City. Jenny Spurlock, a freshman at Stanford spent last Saturday painting a house. She used to volunteer in a hospital in her hometown in Texas, but once she arrived at Stanford, she was amazed by the diversity of community service opportunities. I want to help the homeless, she remarks, and I love to build houses just because I can see the visual product of what I am helping out with. It might sound selfish, but I also feel a personal satisfaction after being altruistic. Rachel Ngernmaneepothong, who is also a new member of Stanford s Habitat for Humanity, likes another aspect of the organization. We built a community so quickly this last Saturday, she comments, and the people I met were amazing. Fifty years from now I can go to Redwood City, and the house we worked on will still be there. I helped today, I built a home. I was inspired by Jenny and Rachel. I know that thousands of people are in need of a decent home just like my family was four years ago, but now I am also aware of the fact that I can help. One of my Saturdays could bring hope to a family and their children, who should be growing up in a safe home. My family chose a different approach to buy a condominium, and unfortunately, we couldn t join Habitat for Humanity. I will not let the opportunity to become part of a wonderful community slip away one more time. I dream of turning into an angel with a tool belt Vanya Choumanova. Reprinted by permission. 4

5 Works Cited 1. Flanigan, Lorelie. Angels with tool belts. AORN Journal June. 2000: Habitat for Humanity Factsheet. < 3. Habitat for Humanity International-building houses in partnership with people in need. WIN News April.1997: SPI Staffers Volunteer to Build HFHI Homes. Plastic Engineering May. 2001: Starling, Kelly. Habitat for Humanity: interracial organization builds houses and dreams. Ebony Nov. 1997: Vanya Choumanova. Reprinted by permission. 5