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Young Jains of America | Habitat for Humanity
Building Homes & Building Friendships
BY SUCHITA SHAH
On July 27, 2002, 16 youth from the Midwest Region gathered in Battle Creek, MI to help the local Habitat for Humanity. After early morning
introductions
and
icebreakers, the group went to the site.
The H4H organization had two major projects in the area. The first was the complete building of one house, which would house a family with 6-8 kids. It was two stories with two full baths and rather large for a Habitat project. The second house was just a repair job of the roof.
DEWALT
Quotes from H4H participants:
"Altogether it was a wonderful experience. We came together for a great cause, to help better a community, and had a great time doing it."
Working hard: Veeral Ajmera works at the Austin
Neha Shah, ng "Habitat for Humanities was a lot of work, but very fun. It was a great way to bring youth together to teach them how to care for their community."
Jain Education International 2010_02
So, the Michigan and Chicago youth split into two groups. One group headed to the roof of the house and nailed shingles in the roof. The other group did various tasks like hammering in siding, cutting trees, and cleaning up glass around the site. It was hot and humid, but the groups worked on through the day. In the end, not only did the group gain the satisfaction of helping the unfortunate, each person had 15 new friends. Whether it was the unloading of the jungle, or watching moths chase people, the group enjoyed
each other's company and vowed to make this an annual event. We can't wait until next July!
"This project was a great experience for all of us, teaching us the value of working together, as well as helping others. Aside from being an extremely fun weekend, the youth felt they accomplished something great, by helping to give homes to the less fortunate, as well as making new friends."
-Nirali Vora, IL
~Bijal Shah, IL pain, knowing that I have touched someones life.
"Habitat for Humanity is one of the best and probably most life-changing events anyone can ever partake in. You step back and you can physically see the way you have helped someone's lives. I have to admit that I was scared to climb up on that roof, but I kept in mind that I would be helping eight people who would be living in that house, and that gave me the courage to climb up that ladder. I went home aching and tired, but it is a good
H
Give a little, and you walk away with so much more its an awesome feeling."
Rinku Kapadia, m?
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