Narrative: Habitat for Humanity

Class started off with us all meeting at a park within the subdivision of homes built by Habitat for Humanity. When we got there we were  greeted by Construction Superintendent Paul Murphy. However at the time we did not know who he really was other than an employee of Habitat for Humanity. We were later instructed to go to the Construction Yard to help out with going though the wood and other things to organize the useful things and throw away the bad.  I thought it was fun work/activity because I got to interact with my other classmates and have somewhat of a working bond. Of course later on in the day this would be even more so of a experience.

            Later Bojon, Thomas, and I were instructed to help with bracing the “truss which is part of the framing of the roof of a house." We spent most of the morning doing this. It was rather interesting because like  most people you never really know how or what supports the roofing of a house or building. Overall I thought working at Habitat was probably one of the most enjoyable things so far of Urban Studies. After listening to our discussions with Paul about the purpose of Habitat for Humanity I thought about the article by Saskia Sassen on “the city: Strategic Site/ New Frontier”. Sassen mentions a “possible international labor market for low wage manual service workers.” (Sassen, pg. 2) She talks about how globalization has partial responsibility for these low wages and how they are taken advantage of.

Paul told us that most of the people who live in the homes built by Habitat were people who just were “unlucky” in society so to say deserved better and that was his purpose in being involved with Habitat. He also said that many of the people living there earned low wages and with the money they make could not afford market value apartments suitable for the needs of large families. This day brought much insight on the reality of poverty and more so on how society is divided into those who are lucky and those who aren’t. It is a sad reality that there are people out there, like many who live in the homes made by Habitat, that deserve better but are refused by those who could never understand. And on top of that they are ignored by society.  One day there will be a voice for those who deserve to be heard and I really hope Habitat for Humanity continues on with its fight against globalization, impoverished communities, and so on. There really is good in this world and I feel proud to have made a small contribution to Habitat's efforts.