Building a Future
A UGA freshman building not only her future, but other’s too.

The smell of fresh paint on the walls and fresh stain on the porch. The sound of nails clinging against the ground and hammers beating against the walls. The feeling of saw dust clinging to your legs and water from the pressure washer filling your shoes. The sight of concrete spinning in the mixer, just to be poured into the structure of a staircase. This is what I— along with a small group of fellow freshman — have gotten to experience in the past month here at the University of Georgia. Through participating in the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, we have all been touched and humbled. This is our story.

118 Magnolia Terrace, Athens, GA. It was the mid-day in the midst of the summer heat. Upon arrival, I felt as if I had stepped straight into a Dr. Seuss book. The houses were being painted the most vivid, vibrant colors I had ever seen. Combinations of sea-foam green with orange accents, coral with baby blue accents, and sunshine yellow with green accents were omnipresent; I learned from this point to expect the unexpected. Now, you may ask why in the world would anyone ever paint a house in those exotic color schemes? When asking, I was met with the most sincere answer. I was told, “We have painted them like this to brighten up a neighborhood that has not always been so bright. Not long ago, [the neighborhood] was infested with crime and brutality.” Instantly, I became infatuated with the project. I was handed a paintbrush, and before long found myself lost in time.
As I stroked the paintbrush back and forth across the wall, I became overwhelmed with thoughts. The thought that one day — one day soon — this paint would see memories of a lifetime occur. This paint would see families in their highest highs and their lowest lows. This paint — this paint that I was putting on the walls — was becoming one with the house. I was helping create a future for those who may not have had one otherwise — and that in itself was enough to start a fire in my soul. I, just as the paint, was becoming one with this project.

Days passed by and I could not wait for the next time our class would travel to Magnolia Terrace. Throughout the month, I worked on a multitude of tasks that I never would have seen myself doing. Whether it be painting, laying concrete, or helping put up a roof, you could find me drenched in sweat, but still smiling from ear to ear. However, this opportunity taught me more than just how to use a concrete mixer or a hatchet. This month taught me about the world around me — about the part of the community that isn’t bleeding in red and black. The part of the community that cannot just walk into the Bolton dining hall whenever they choose. The part of the community that cannot just scan their ID to be sheltered. The real world.
“I am a huge believer in giving back and helping out in the community and the world. Think globally, act locally I suppose. I believe that the measure of a person’s life is the affect they have on others.” — Steve Nash
Habitat for Humanity has changed the way I see the world in just a little over a month. Due to this, I can thank the organization for forming the “me” I hope to be throughout the next four years. I hope to be a girl who never takes anything for granted — a more grateful me. May I always strive to accomplish each and every goal I set, even if I fall short trying. I wish to remain humble, even if a time comes where I feel as if I am on top of the world. Expect the unexpected.
In just a mere two weeks, families will begin moving into these houses. Yes, families. Families of 5 or 6 will be moving into 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom houses. A month ago, I would have been held in disbelief at the thought of such. However, now I see it and now I understand; I have become more open-minded. There are families out in the world — out in the community I live in — that simply cannot afford to put a roof over their family’s heads. This is what Habitat is for. Habitat builds and refurbishes houses with intentions of renting them out to low-income families. As stated in Athens Banner-Herald, Spencer Frye — executive director of Athens Habitat — stated, “You never look at somebody working and say they’re poor, but an $8 an hour job, scheduled for 30 hours a week, isn’t sufficient to cover rent in Athens, inflated by student housing rentals, and other necessities of life.”
So, thank you Athens Habitat for Humanity. Thank you for letting me lend a helping hand where it was needed. Thank you for teaching me more about the community around me. Thank you for not only building other’s futures, but mine too.


