LENNOX ISLAND, P.E.I. — Construction has begun to create a new home for a family in Lennox Island. It's one of five Habitat for Humanity projects currently underway on P.E.I.
The build on Lennox Island is for single mother Kelly Sark and her two children.
Before her application was accepted, Sark and her kids were living in a small, two-bedroom apartment.
“I found I needed a bigger space for myself and my kids,” she said.
Sark commended the people who are helping her family build their forever home.
"It feels nice to have people across the country and the States coming here to support and help build our home. My brothers and people in my community are also helping, and it’s good to see all the support.”
Sark said she and her children are grateful to have their "own space" and a home with a yard.
"Just to be able to have my own home and plant my roots here, back home where I was born and raised - I couldn’t be happier.”
Program manager Tyson Nicholson said this project is from the Indigenous Housing Partnership, a Canada-wide program helping First Nations people find affordable housing solutions.
“We worked with (Lennox Island’s) band council, and they directed anyone who would’ve been of interest in housing towards us ... Kelly Sark was the best candidate.”
Jamie McKay, the project manager overseeing Habitat work on the Island, said a large portion of the outside construction has been completed with a Global Village team.
Global Village is a program within Habitat for Humanity, that sends volunteers across the world to help build homes for families in need.
“It went really good. The four walls are up, most of the roof is on and the windows are in. Everybody has been very friendly. And everybody wants to be here and feels good about doing this. Lots of laughs, been doing a lot of teaching and there’s been lots of learning,” said McKay.
McKay said the construction will continue with Habitat volunteers and local people in Lennox Island, and hopes to see the house’s completion by mid-fall.
The Global Village team leader Ken Caissie lives in Alberta, but is originally from Miscouche. He’s been volunteering with Habitat since 2007. This trip is his 14th project.
“I like the work and I like the people. To me these trips, the building is important, but it’s not the only thing that draws me back. It’s the meeting people, the experience of working alongside communities and bettering someone in that community,” said Caissie.
For volunteer Christine Lawrence from Gravenhurst, Ont., the Lennox Island project is her first experience with Habitat for Humanity.
“I’d been looking for several ways to get involved with Habitat for Humanity. This build seemed like a great thing to do. I’m a new building inspector, I love construction and the building industry,” said Lawrence, who wanted to stay inside Canada for her first volunteer build.
St. Thomas, Ont., resident Lindsay Rounds has made Global Village trips annual summer adventures with her father for the last three years.
“My dad and I started in Nova Scotia in 2017, and we’ve gotten hooked. We’ve made great connections and long-term friendships.”
She said there is plenty to gain when building with Habitat.
“You learn a lot about construction, but you also learn a lot about yourself. What your strengths and weaknesses are. I think the experience is incredible. Everyone should give it a shot at least once in their life, whether that be a local build or go abroad. It will be a lifetime of memories.”
