Confederation group heading to Chile to build homes

Posted By Star Staff

By Canadian standards, they won't seem like much.

But the 193-square-foot homes a group of Confederation Secondary School students, teachers and a volunteer parent will build in Chile next month will change lives.

"By North American standards, the homes being constructed are quite modest," teacher Jana Armstrong said in a release. "Many new homes in the Sudbury area easily exceed 2,000 square feet and are comprised of many extravagances.

"The homes being constructed under this program are a very tiny 193 square feet and will consist of two rooms. After the home is complete, the owners can build their own bathroom facilities, if they wish to do so."

Teacher Jennifer Stobo says although very spartan by Canadian standards, the homes will ease the sense of poverty felt by its inhabitants.

"Participating families benefiting from this program are typically single-parent homes or those that have a very low income," Stobo said. "Many currently live in dilapidated shacks, so these houses will certainly enhance their quality of life."

The group from the Valley East school will build the homes during the March break, from March 7-14.

Steven McAnulty, Erica Richard, Jessica Carson, Tammy Beaton, Kayla Aelick, Elizabeth Beattie and Michelle Leger, all students in Grades 10 to 12, will go to Chile in the first project of its kind for Confed.
They'll be part of a Habitat for Humanity project in one of the poorest areas of the world.

From a teaching perspective, the trip will enhance what's taught in the classroom in a number of subject areas, from citizenship and history to geography and technological education.

"Character development is also an important part of what we teach students in Rainbow Schools," Confederation principal Mike Mirka said.

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