Last year, Habitat for Humanity helped 3 million people move into homes of their own. In Worcester County, they're working with the housing industry to help one family at a time. For example, in Bishopville, they're putting the finishing touches on a home for a single mother. Delmarva Public Media's Colin Bright has the story.
The Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County delivered a house to Bishopville this past Wednesday. The recipient of the House, Deonyha Purnell, has lived in Berlin all her life. She's a single mother of three and a hard worker. She's dreamed of her and her family owning a home for years. And today, that dream became so much closer to reality.
“This is actually what I always prayed for, and it actually came true,” Purnell said.
Deonyha, who works at Food Lion, is surrounded by her friends and family as the house is lowered by crane, and her kids are watching from the shade as they see their new home being installed before their eyes.
“I mean, I appreciate it very much. I know coming from college, I'm not going to have a nice home cooked meal up there. So when I come back, I have a nice meal to eat,” said Manuel.
That's Amarin Manuel, Deonhya's oldest son who will be attending Shepherd University in the fall. While he's away, he hopes his niece enjoys growing up with a house to call home.
“I hope my niece has a great time. She has a backyard to play in. She'll probably invite her friends, ride her bike around, and stuff like that.” Manuel continued.
Deonyha's mother, Linda Purnell, is here to watch her daughter's hard work come to fruition. She expresses her gratitude towards those who gave what they could.
“Yeah, the community is very, they've been supportive. Like when we were on Facebook and she needed money and I told them, they gave. They gave from the heart, I believe. Everybody gave from their heart,” said Purnell.
Andrea Bowland, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County is here for the house setting. None of this would be possible, she says, were it not for the community.
“So the way that we are able to do this as a Habitat for Humanity affiliate, is that we rely on support from the local community in order to bring the overall cost for the build down. So that can work in several ways. Sometimes it's in kind donations from companies that would come out and assist. We had Delmarva Tree Services out here. We partnered with contractors for a cause who came out and helped with the lot clearing. We have support from sponsors that come in with monetary donations, things like that. It really is a community effort in order to get something like this done. And when we reach this point and you see the tangible coming together of a house, and you are able to do this in front of the family and see their reaction and have people just supporting the build by being here and seeing it all come together, it really makes it worth it,” Bowland explained.
Due to their method of financing, Habitat for Humanity of Worcester is limited to one build at a time. Although there's still work to be done, this is an achievement that has been a long time in the making. Amidst the congratulation and excitement, Deonyha isn't thinking of herself. Instead, she thinks of her children, and what their new home means for them.
“They'll just always have somewhere to call home, be comfortable, live comfortably. We don't have to worry about neighbors, not being too loud, people underneath of us on the side of us. We can just live freely,” Purnell finished.
Deonyha's home isn't finished yet, but with the community behind her, it's only a matter of time. For Delmarva Public Media, this is Colin Bright.
