Habitat for Humanity-Jordan Hosts a Women’s Build from Saudi Arabia
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Author: Charlie Franck
Released 11 February 2008
Women from diverse cultures, religions, ages and backgrounds joined together with the common goal of building a simple, basic home for a family in need. This was the women’s mission who recently traveled from Saudi Arabia to Jordan to participate in a Habitat for Humanity build. They were dedicated to improve the living conditions of a family residing in one of the poorest areas of Jordan, Ghor Al Safi. This large agricultural community is located beside the salt flats of the Dead Sea.
Volunteers and local children sang songs on the worksite.
Often associated with former President Jimmy Carter, Habitat for Humanity was actually started in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. From the organization’s humble beginnings in Americus, Georgia, Habitat has grown over the past 30 years. It is now an international non-profit organization that has offices in one hundred countries and has provided homes to over 225,000 families worldwide.
Most of the nine women participating in the build had never been at a construction site, much less built a house before. We were anxious about our ability to do the job and our nervousness only increased when we were given work gloves and tool belts with items we had never seen before. Although the construction of houses differs in a variety of ways, depending on the location and materials available, the ways in which a house is supervised and built are similar. In Jordan, construction is completed by using a simple concrete block structure. Our primary construction jobs were mixing the cement, transporting the concrete blocks, laying the block to form the outside walls and cutting and shaping rebar. Mohammad, the site construction coordinator and our ever present cheerleader throughout the build, eased everyone’s mind as he and the other Habitat helpers escorted us through basic training on how to accomplish these tasks. Soon everybody began working in small groups independently on the different projects around the site. Within days we had gained sufficient skills to take initiative and work independently. Everyone became more self-assured and confident in their skills, completing jobs with less supervision. As one of the women observed, “I was not only strong enough; it was easier than I thought! Stepping out of your ‘comfort zone’ makes you realize what you’re made of and an inner strength surfaces.” During our time in Ghor Al Safi, building skills as well as a cooperative spirit emerged with an ever-apparent goal in mind.
As each work day began, a number of interested village children surrounded the property. The children, between the ages of 3 to 10, were on school holidays and our build seemed to be the best entertainment available. Soon informal introductions were made and before long a chorus of chants would greet us. During breaks some women would venture past the tape separating the work site from the children to interact with them, taking group pictures or teaching songs. Within minutes, the attention starved children would engulf us and generously provide smiles, hugs and kisses. The children never tired and provided encouragement even into the late afternoon hours. As one of the women commented, “These children are the future and hope for the world.”
Interacting with community members is another important and rewarding part of a Habitat experience. Meals and tea breaks were shared and enjoyed with the homeowners, Habitat staff and other community volunteers throughout the build. In typical Ghor Al Safi style, the community opened its doors to our group. Sheikh Suliman, a prominent leader and Chairman of the Benevolent Society, welcomed us and proudly introduced us to his town. At the initial meeting with the community leaders, his assistant, Mouna, outlined several community programs intended to help the women in the community.
As the days of building continued it became apparent that the trip was much more than cement, blocks and rebar. The experience would create new friendships, change perspectives, provide a deeper understanding of humankind and the end result would be the beginning of a new home for a young family, built with loving international hands. As one of the volunteers stated, “Building bridges between belief systems, religions, philosophies and dispelling conditioned stereotypical viewpoints-thus bonding with one another was a wonderful part of the experience.”
The build team.
The last day came all too quickly and we were determined to achieve as much as we could in the little time left. As one of the women stated, “Our goal was to ‘to get it done’ for the family and that new baby!” As noon time approached, the final bucket of cement was passed along as well as the last concrete block which was slowly positioned into place. As the mortar secured the block, everyone cheered and raised their trowels in triumph. Soon we gathered for the house dedication ceremony in what would eventually become the front yard. Sharif, the home owner and Sheikh Suliman spoke to us with kind words of gratitude for our contributions, while we presented Sharif with a prayer rug that the family could proudly display in their new home.
In five days of building, all of the exterior walls of the house were completed as well as partially finishing an interior wall. Our pride was evident as we walked away on the final day with a sense of accomplishment. We didn’t just build a house; we built relationships that resonate across cultures, religions, and language, as well as building bridges that will transform lives, not just those of the homeowner, but also our own. As one volunteer stated, “This was a life changing experience and enriching in so many ways.” The difference we made may appear small to others but to the homeowners, Sharif and Fatmeh Shamala, the contribution to their home construction will have an enormous impact on their family’s life. Fatmeh will soon have her own decent kitchen and bathroom and Sharif will take great satisfaction having a home that was collaboratively built. Their son, Shaheem, and soon-to-be newborn baby will invite friends to their house with pleasure. They will join the other village children and cheer on the next group of Habitat builders, just as we were encouraged.
If you are interested in learning how you can contribute to a Habitat for Humanity in Jordan, either building or donating money to purchase supplies, please contact Charlie Franck at cfranck47@yahoo.com.