Sweat Equity

Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor – sweat equity – into building their Habitat house and the houses of others. 


As a participant of Bike & Build, I am required to have 10 hours of sweat equity. This past weekend I attended my first build with Habitat through the Purdue chapter. I was told we would be painting,  but when we arrived, some concrete was in need of demolition. When I heard this, a friend of mine said I looked like a kid in a candy store. Indeed, I was excited. What's better than volunteering and getting a workout? I got more than I bargained for. We filled up a dump truck. Twice. Maybe 10 or 20 ton capacity. I'm not sure, but it doesn't really matter. My back is sore just the same. It's all worth it, though. Another family will soon have a decent living space.