It’s so far, so good, for Stephanie Bramham and her daughter Teal in their new home that was constructed through Habitat for Humanity.
A key presentation ceremony – a highlight for any Habitat for Humanity build – was held early last month. The Bramhams then began the process of moving their possessions into the home.
Their belongings were relocated into the house by the middle of last month.
“I’ve been organizing the house and getting stuff put away,” she said in an interview with Lifestyles.
The moving process was completed over three weekends. It started by moving boxes into the home, followed by the furniture and anything else that needed to be transferred.
It meant that Stephanie and Teal were able to host Christmas dinner in the home, with Stephanie’s parents, sister, boyfriend and their daughter present.
“There was still a few things around that weren’t put away, but it was just a few of us, so it wasn’t so bad,” she said.
It was one of those moments that reinforced it was her home, even though there were those last lingering unpacking tasks to complete.
Teal is particularly excited to be in the house, Stephanie said.
“She only wants to go home,” said Stephanie. “She doesn’t want to go anywhere else.”
It’s a big difference from where Stephanie and Teal were living previously. The house provides an added element of security.
During her speech at the key ceremony, Stephanie noted at one point in their old home, her daughter’s tricycle was stolen at one point, and discarded in the valley behind the home.
Also, in the old neighbourhood, the lights went out at night, leaving them in darkness, but now she’s in a well-lit area.
“Now it’s not even feeling like it’s dark out, because the street lights are on,” said Bramham. “It makes a difference coming home at night, and it not being so dark.”
Bramham hasn’t had many opportunities to talk to the new neighbours, since it’s winter, and they don’t spend a lot of time outside. But those she talked to have been really nice, and it seems like a good neighbourhood to be in.
Bramham is pleased the local Habitat for Humanity committee is proceeding with it’s next project build. She encourages families who think they could benefit from being a Habitat family to apply.
“It’s made a big difference to be in a house, and it’s nice,” said Bramham.
As the partner family for the build, Bramham had to participate in a thorough application process, filling out forms and going through interviews. Once she was selected, she had to provide sweat equity, in which she hung drywall, installed insulation, and painted and stained walls.
The sweat equity phase proved to be a really good learning experience.
Bramham also encouraged people to support Habitat for Humanity as it embarks on the next round of fundraising.
“It’s a great program to have,” she said.
