Jimmy Carter Work Project builds strength and stability for families

After months of work on the construction site, first-time homeowner Aido Murillo still found it hard to believe her good fortune. Soon her family would be able to leave her in laws’ house for a place of their own. “This has been a dream come true,” she said. Murillo, her husband Serafin and their two teenage children were among the 75 families in Veracruz, Mexico, whose homes were completed last October during the Jimmy Carter Work Project. Carter, his wife Rosalynn and approximately 4,000 volunteers joined homeowners to complete construction on 150 homes in Veracruz and Puebla in one week.

Celsa Crisóstomo Lira and her husband Alfredo Morales Rosas looked forward to moving out of their rental property. Lira said, “Our rent was really high and when you least expect it the landlord can ask you to move. This has happened to us many times. We haven’t been able to settle in one place. But we won’t have to move anymore. We finally have our own home.” The couple’s three children—ages three, five and seven—are excited about the new house.

Working with Habitat has been a lesson in giving and receiving for Lira and her family. Lira observed, “Working with the other partner families has been wonderful. Through Habitat we have learned about sharing and our faith in God has increased. Before becoming involved in this project we weren’t as close as a family.” For many partner families, the Habitat experience reaches beyond the build site. Murillo said, “I believe that through working with Habitat I will be able to set a good example for others. Those who see what I’m doing with Habitat will also believe that it’s possible to have a home of their own.”

The work of the Jimmy Carter Work Project and Habitat for Humanity International is about more than constructing houses with families in need. It’s about building hope, empowerment and communities around the world.

Celsa Crisostomo Lira levels blocks on her new home in Veracruz, Mexico, during JCWP 2004. Working in partnership with Habitat, Lira and her

husband became first-time homeowners and brought their family closer together in the process.