IMAGINE MARION WILLOUGHBY,
sitting on the rotting front porch of his leaking rental house, listening to Habitat’s offer to have volunteers help him build a new home. Imagine him hearing that Habitat will sell the new house to him at cost and also give him a mortgage with 0% interest.
Marion did not believe a house could be built in just one week. But his opinion began to change when he saw the Habitat volunteers arrive in the pouring rain with a 40-ft. horse trailer packed with enough gear for a
crew of 30 members. Marion began to believe that a miracle might happen in just six days.
I can’t count how many times that week he said, “You don’t see ladies doing this kind of work!” and “This is such a blessing!” and “You people do it right!” Marion was amazed that a crew of accountants, lawyers, judges, flight attendants, computer programmers, mothers, and grandmothers could build a house—and that they cared enough to come to Georgia to build a house for him.
The house cost $50,000. But it took much more than money to build Marion Willoughby’s house. It took months of planning, two days of travel, and six days of hard work. Was it worth it? There’s no doubt in my mind that Marion would answer with an emphatic “Yes!” And so would the many volunteers and staff who helped make it possible. Because, when it comes right down to it, providing decent housing for another human being is an experience that enriches everyone who lends a hand.
-Anna G. Carter
Habitat for Humanity and its volunteers have changed Marion Willoughby’s life for the better. His new home is safe, warm,
and dry. [Photo © Anna G. Carter.]
