Wichita Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build gets underway on Friday. It’s is an annual event in which women build a house for a family.
Construction gets underway near 12th and Green in Wichita's A. Price Woodard neighborhood with a wall-raising ceremony. This will be the 13th home built by women for the organization.
Spokeswoman Kathy Lefler says women don’t need to have any construction skills or experience; they’ll learn everything they need on site.
"The reason why we do this is that it's a male-dominated field, construction is," Lefler says. "It gives women a chance to participate, and to learn a new skill together in a very non-threatening, very fun time together."
Families are able to move into affordable and safe houses often for less than what they were paying for rent. The new homeowners, Misha and Manuel, have attended homebuyer and financial literacy classes, contributed 400 hours of sweat equity and given $2000 toward the purchase of their home.
Lefler says more builds are on the horizon, including 12 houses next year.
While several volunteer slots are currently full, there are a few opportunities still available online.
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Carla Eckels is assistant news director and the host of Soulsations. Follow her on Twitter @Eckels.
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