Habitat for Humanity house being built at UC
Published by Communications and Development
Photos
A Kaiapoi family of six will soon have a new home thanks to a building project that is now underway at the University of Canterbury.
The Canterbury chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society and Habitat for Humanity Christchurch have joined forces to build a house for the Evans family on the University’s Ilam Rd frontage.
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The Evans family of Kaiapoi. Pictured are (from left) Roisin, Joshua, Keith, Daniel, Trish and Kelly. |
The build will begin on 22 February and is expected to take two weeks to complete. Once finished, the house will be relocated to a site in Kaiapoi where three other Habitat for Humanity houses will be built.
The Evans family – Trish and Keith and their four children Daniel (19), Joshua (18), and twins Roisin and Kelly (14) – are excited by the project and said they were grateful for the opportunity that had been given to them. Members of the family will work on the house during the build.
“My wife is so happy she has a huge grin,” said Mr Evans. “It has been a dream of hers to own her own home, but we never thought it would be a reality for us. This is just amazing.”
Mr Evans said the family, which currently lives in rented accommodation, decided to apply for the Habitat for Humanity project after it was suggested to them by their pastor at the Kaiapoi Baptist Church.
“We applied never thinking we’d qualify let along be chosen,” he said.
“I can’t believe how quickly it has all happened and we’ve been surprised by all the generosity of all the people involved. It’s just incredible.”
Unable to work fulltime due to poor health, Mr Evans is a volunteer ambulance driver for St John Ambulance and is a regular helper at his church’s community lunch. The family also gets involved in the community, giving time to help at events such as The Art Expo, River Carnival and the Light Party and serving on the school PTA.
This is not the first time Habitat for Humanity and the Canterbury Golden Key chapter have worked together. In 2006 another house was built on the University’s Ilam Rd frontage and subsequently moved to a site in Rangiora.
Andrew Phillips, who is organizing Golden Key’s involvement in the build, said: “It’s quite a bit different to anything else we do as students but it is incredibly rewarding being involved. We are really lucky at Canterbury to have a very supportive administration and a large community of clubs and societies to draw volunteers and expertise from. We are really looking forward to seeing it all come together.”
Habitat for Humanity Christchurch Board Chair Margaret Cook said the board was “thrilled to be associated with the University again”.
“Habitat houses are built by volunteers under expert supervision. Having students willing to participate is heart-warming to the local affiliate. We anticipate another successful partnership culminating in a new home for the Evans family.”
Habitat for Humanity is a Christian not-for-profit organisation that works in partnership with people of goodwill and families in housing need, to eliminate sub-standard housing by building, renovating and selling simple decent homes on an affordable basis.
The Golden Key International Honour Society is a student-run organisation that develops leadership through community service, promotes teamwork and recognises academic achievement.
For further information please contact:
Andrew Phillips
Golden Key International Honour Society Canterbury chapter
Ph: 027 356 5043
andrew.phillips@canterbury.ac.nz
Or:
Margaret Cook,
Habitat for Humanity
Christchurch Board Chair
Ph: 021 022 12120
Invercargill
Or:
Stacey Doornenbal
Communications Officer
University of Canterbury
Ph: (03) 364 2984
stacey.doornenbal@canterbury.ac.nz
February 22:
With the framework for the walls up, the Habitat for Humanity house starts to take shape.
February 23:
The framework for the roof goes up.
February 24:
February 26:
March 1:
Work on the roof began today.
March 2:
The house is now starting to look like a home as the walls go up.
March 3:
March 5:
The windows are in.
