Students spend spring break building homes

[babylonsister]

Student volunteers keep coming back
By Priscilla Loebenberg - Sun Herald


College students from all over the country and some from Canada are following through on the promises they made not to forget the damage Hurricane Katrina wrought on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

More than 600 are participating in alternative break programs this month. Students are spending a week building homes and working on other projects for South Mississippi nonprofits rather than soaking up sun in more leisurely activities.

Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast is hosting 420 students from 14 colleges and universities on a rotating basis through the end of March as part of the Collegiate Challenge, a program of Habitat for Humanity International. Collegiate Challenge is a nationwide, year-round alternative break program that has been active on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“It’s amazing to think that once we are done someone is going to live in this house,” said volunteer Chelsea Isherwood.

more...

http://www.sunherald.com/pageone/story/1200885.html

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. I will be there tomorrow

Going to New Orleans for spring break. We are planning on going over to the coast and seeing one of these programs in action.

[babylonsister]

2. Good for you, proud! It's nice to know these students made a

commitment and are sticking to it. Sounds like a lot of help is still needed.

[alsame]

3. K&R for these wonderful young people. n/t

[Booster]

4. This makes me very proud of our young people. I think there

should be a special program set up in all schools that offer this kind of thing for credit in college. Maybe they already have such a program in place. K&R

[babylonsister]

5. Great idea! A co-op program for college credits? I like it! nt

[uppityperson]

6. k&r with thanks to students and others continuing to help the gulf coast recover.

Edited to add, great for the people who will be getting homes and really great education for the students doing the work.

[Joe Chi Minh]

7. How wonderful.

[malaise]

8. The involvement of young people in the November election

and their involvement in projects like this one have renewed my faith in this generation. The level of consciousness even among my own nieces and nephews has lifted my spirits beyond my wildest belief.

[NaturalHigh]

9. K and R for these kids!

[Blue Gardener]

10. They are helping in flooded homes in Iowa as well

Still many homes in Cedar Rapids that have not been gutted after the devastating floods last summer. Students from all over the country are using their spring break to help out.