Journal 16

For my service learning I went to habitat for humanity. I painted and tore apart walls, I was glad to see that people were helping people get better lives and get a roof over their head. What bothered me though was the waste. The walls we took apart had been put together for houses never built; things were wasted that did not need to be. Especially in today’s world the wood that was thrown away, served no purpose, all the nails lost, it was a large waste. It was all made with one thing in mind, but instead plans backfired. The people there tried to salvage as much as they could but there is only so much you can do if the wood is filled with cracks and holes. I wish they would save the wood and build as needed only; this would reduce waste, and allow for more efficient money spent. People donate that wood, and some of it goes to waste. The idea is great and what they are doing for people is one of the best things I have seen, to allow someone to build their own house for very cheap and teach them how to fix home problems along the way is the greatest tool anyone could have. It teaches them a skill set to save money and help better themselves. It is also affordable and relies mostly on volunteer help, so the people volunteering are doing something for someone that not only changes a life, but will help future generations down the road.