Year 1, Volume 4: Editorial

EDITORIAL:

At the end of four years’ work during which there had been some frustrations, the National Honour Society and the Junior National Honour Society of Lincoln American School finally achieved their goal to raise sufficient money to build a house for a family in need in Lujan.

At 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday August 4^th the Niz family, of the Open Door, were able to show their new home to the many people present for this special occasion. These included representatives of Lincoln School, the United Community Church and the Buenos Aires Newcomers Club, the National Directors of Habitat from nine South American countries, Directors of the Regional Office and representatives of the local authorities and many friends and neighbours. All came to witness the inauguration of the new house and the untying of the light blue and white ribbon.

There are many people we must thank for their participation in this project! Firstly Kate Lewis, mentor of the group of students of Lincoln, who believed in the project, kept interest alive and motivated others to help. Then the Lincoln College students who gave their time and labour to help build the house. But most especially we have to thank Maersk, Argentina S.A. for their donations. Thanks to their generous gifts it was possible to build the house for the Silva Miranda family and to make possible the building of a second house which will begin shortly. In addition to their donations, Maersk Argentina also encouraged and assisted some of their employees to help with the building work.

Those of us who work for Habitat for Humanity thank God for the opportunity to celebrate these events in an atmosphere full of joy. Two more families have a decent house in which to live and this will change their lives! For we believe that adequate housing enables a family to sustain a better way of life.

Certainly, the example of the Lincoln Students succeeded in motivating a group of young people from Luján, that is working hard to make more dreams come true and to make it possible for more houses to be built... Last April a training course for young leaders was organized with the cooperation of the National Office of HFH Argentina and NGO "Save the Children Spain". From this experience, the young people from Luján created the Habitat Youth Project and hope to build a house with materials and donations collected entirely by young people in Lujan and in schools in Buenos Aires. Young people from the community will also be asked to assist in the building of this special house...

Let’s support the youth in Luján in this challenge!

Patricia Caviezel

President of the Students and Youth Programs Sub-Committee

Member of the National Board of Directors