June 2, 2005
Valdosta - This is nine-year-old Christopher Thomas' first attempt at carpentry. "We've been building a shed for another house," said Thomas.
He's one of about 30 kids from the Valdosta Boys and Girls Club learning the ins and outs of construction from Habitat for Humanity. "Maybe there's a future carpenter in this group and they'll take away some principal of learning and doing for others," said Stuart Mullis, Habitat for Humanity Director.
The finished product is an 8 x 6 storage room, but the kids are learning a lot more than how to just hammer nails and raise walls. "We hope they learn about people taking care of their friends, and people giving a hand up not a hand out," said Mullis.
Along with the basics of carpentry, Habitat workers are teaching them about the foundation of their organization. "We explain to them what substandard housing is and how we go about finding people and building houses for them and getting them out of that substandard lifestyle," said Mullis.
Their message seems to be sinking in. "It's about being friendly and helping out others," said Thomas.
And this will hopefully create dozens of new Habitat for Humanity volunteers. "We certainly hope so, we can always use volunteers and we certainly applaud their enthusiasm," said Mullis.
Proving that everyone, even kids, can do their part to eliminate substandard housing.
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